by Nikki Giovanni
(for Sally Sellers)
Like a fading piece of cloth
I am a failure
No longer do I cover tables filled with food and laughter
My seams are frayed my hems falling my strength no longer able
To hold the hot and cold
I wish for those first days
When just woven I could keep water
From seeping through
Repelled stains with the tightness of my weave
Dazzled the sunlight with my
Reflection
I grow old though pleased with my memories
The tasks I can no longer complete
Are balanced by the love of the tasks gone past
rest of the poem here.
Read Jessica Fox-Wilson's thoughts on what she learned after
hearing Nikki Giovanni Speak.
Find more Poetry Friday entries here.
5 comments:
Nikki Giovanni is a poet I've only recently discovered through her children's poetry books. My, oh, my, what have I been missing? Thanks for sharing.
Sweet. What better thing for a poet to grow into than a scrap to keep a child or grandma warm and comforted?
I love, love, love this. A life of no regrets AND a wish that is so wonderful.
This is so lovely. I do appreciate the multiple layers of meaning in this poem -- it really touches me.
That is beautiful.
This reminds me a bit of when an uncle died, and we used a square from his flannel shirts to make a quilt. Then his family could wrap themselves in part of him still.
Post a Comment