Even this, simplest of womanly tasks,
eludes me: the union of button and shirt,
needle and thread. I can manage
an embroidery needle, wide-eyed, and thread stiff
with spit to ease it through the signatures
of a book-block, but not the finer work
of cotton. This is the kind of skill you need
in this climate; to survive
you need buttons that stick,
useful skills, a collection of sharp instruments
on a handy shelf
in case you are surprised at home
by a giant roaring through your keyhole
or a man, far from home,
cuffs trailing threads, and a pointed look
when he catches your eye.
6 comments:
Love it! Can't wait for more!
hey marika!
love the poem. now, a few minor suggestions (take 'em, leave 'em). your line breaks are great but there is one place where i think shorter lines might be more provocative. here's my suggestion:
...wide eyed, and
thread stiff with spit to ease
it through the signatures
(also in line 7/8 you have a double "this" in one sentance. maybe a more descriptive word to describe the climate?)
Loved this! Loved it.
I noticed on second scan you use "skill" twice close together. Could tighten to "The skill you need in this climate..." and maybe come up with sub for "useful skills".
I've just done a few chapbooks lately, yay. (no buttons however)
Love this!
Love it! Maybe remove "This is" from line 7 so it reads "The kind of skill you need/ in this climate."
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