SEWING ROOM

1. Seamstress

one capable of designing dresses
and hand stitching christening gowns;
one who looks at a bolt of fabric
and drools over possible end results;
one who takes measurements
and alters garments to fit
while talking and laughing

2. Confessions

one navy suit, 1980, never finished;
curtains designed & executed but hated;
a man’s shirt, black, with placket top-
stitched backwards, valentine’s gift;
the nine-patch that lingers unfinished
since last summer, designed four
years ago; the strawberry bed

3. Distractions

in mid season that needs water
now. texture. pinterest. weeds
in the garden. pricked finger/
blood. lost thimble. dull seam
ripper. hunger. invisible
zipper. cedar. or
lavender.

-Melva Sue Priddy