THE SEWING LESSON

In Richland County, North Dakota

A thread unspools itself from a marbled sky.
Strands of jovial wheat
Are compelled by its velocity
And stitch themselves in erring seam.

Her feet persuades the machine
As she passes the fabric
Through its destiny.

Candlelight and lightening reflect in her eyeglasses--
The power has been out
For hours.

This is not a night for quilting,
But a promise has been made.

To the one whose eyes peer
With wonder above the dry, feathered bed
A memory stitched in time.