Quilt  

tattered sheets

of cloud wetly slap

wring out their devotions

deliver a soaking 

wrenching rain

made over her days

her years boxed

and stored

she begins stitch

by stitch

chicory coffee bubbles

groans in her cabin kitchen

how she sees

in this dim dim light

is her mystery

nimble fingers 

sterling thimble

tiny needles

fine fine thread

hum a spiritual from

back in time

cotton dresses

blouses once worn

in Georgia summers

sing their piney hymns

repeat the shouted praises

her air is thick in hallelujah

now scraps faded 

cut to squares 

measured

stacked 

with care 

patternless 

they take shape in the 

comfort of a child's eyes

warmth of fabric thrown softly so

over the shoulders

of grateful 

others

JPPestana

Quilt

3.9.2022