"The Round Loom," A Poetry Post

When you're the watcher-woman
and death is near,
get the round loom.
Look up. Smile.

Look down close to
set the slip knot.

Measure the yarn
just so
to wrap.

Wrap the pegs
to set the round loom.

Not too tense!
Not too slack!

Wrap and hold.
Look up and smile.

Grab your knitting needle.
Hold on.

Look up. Smile.
Look up. Smile.

Wrap and hold.
Anchor the yarn.
Hold your knitting needle so.

Grab the
bottom loop
and pull...

Up and over...
Up and over...

Press down the work.
Look up. Smile.
Up and over...
Breathe. Smile.

Wrap the pegs,
not too taut!
Not too taut!

Look up. Smile.

Hold your knitting needle so.

Up and over.
Up and over.

Anchor the yarn.
Press down the work.

Look up. Smile.
Look up. Smile.

Sometimes there's no need for pretense.

Look up. Smile.
Look up. Smile.

Sometimes hands need work for tensions.

Hold your knitting needle so.

Dying men need watching women.

Look up. Smile.
Up and over.

Watching eyes need ways of healing.

Look up. Smile.
Anchor. Hold.

When all words have failed fruition--

Up and over...
Up and over...

When all scriptures have been read--

Look up. Smile.
Look up. Smile.

Dying souls have earned their watching.

Hold your knitting needle so.

Weave the loom.
Incline your head.

Look up. Smile.
Look up. Smile.

-T. D. James-Moss