Pieces [Bette Rod]
from Namaste (1997)the women of my history were quilters
they sat around a wooden frame as they cut and sewed the pieces
lining, filling, arranging, tying, until they had
a master plan of color that was beautiful and warm
pieces, pieces
taken from the ragbag of my life
story, tell my story
bit by bit until it comes out right
the pieces came form remnants, scraps and dresses long outgrown
a picture cloth of memories with a story of its own
'remember this,' they'd say as they were working side by side
slowly and with every stitch the work became their pride
i have quilts made by these hands in almost every room
different patterns, each one special with a beauty of its own
i like to think about them and wrap them 'round me when I'm cold
these quilts that I'm so fond of are some life story told
i have my own ragbag filled with pieces of my life
tears of laughter, memories and some are better left behind
a patchwork of my making, a stitchery of rhyme
a master plan of color that I'm designing over time
and I am like the women of my history
bending, folding, stitching and tearing out and starting over
this is my life's story, I'll frame it with my love
with pride I'll build this life-quilt and I'll work until it's done
Credits:
Written by Bette Rod
(c) Bette Rod
