Eye of the Needle

a collaboration with Zahra

Eye of the Needle

Grandmother's silvered hair; and

soft fragile skin 

pale loose linen hanging 

leopard spotted drapes over bone

Her place in the room 

(all assumed)

would be there forever; she

shooting the eye of the needle

(camels kneeling to crawl through) 

Polished cane armchair 

stationed so no one dared

move an inch away from the window where

all the tales and patterns were shaped

Fingertips scorched from the needle's alliance

but the gnarled grip on the hoop as careful

as if she were handling her rosary

praying for admittance

Piercing starched fabric

in memories so old 

adding greens, blues and reds

patterning a definite whole 

burying under tulips and boughs

accounts of all seasons spent

the needles eye, like a vortex

sucks the past to void 

and back again.

04/29/2016

Zahra and E. collab.

Author's Note

Reviews

[...]

I never got to know either of my grandmothers, they both died before I was born. I did have on of my grandfathers until I was 8. My moms dad and my favorite. I remember him well, even how he smelled. My dads father lived with us sometimes. He loved old westerns and the Price is Right cuz he loved watching the women run and jump, b***s a bouncing hahaha. I cherish old people, they have so much wisdom to share. This was a seamless and beautiful poem you two. I loved it!

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you so much lynn ... for your kind and generous review ...that it brought memories of your grandfather is precious ..your memories of his scent says a lot about your relationship with him ..i knew my grandparents on my mom's side and have memory (perhaps false) of my grandmother on my dad's side ..i was quite young when she died ... thank you again for visiting ..it means a lot!
E.

[Dave Brown]

very nicely done but was somewhat different from the movie with the same title that we just happened to watch last night
give your great hound a warm cuddle from me

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Dave ... i will give Beau a fine hug from you and thank you for that as well ... i will have to check the movie out ... i appreciate you found, read and reviewed this older poem done with Zahra .. i will also have to give her a visit and see if she remains ... right here at the Cafe'
E.

[Dr. Wood ?]

well done you two, teamwork of the highest order

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you sir! i like your avatar ... i have a bit more hair on top but since moving to the mountains and being retired, I am most always grizzled with the stubble ;) thanks for taking time .. see you around! :)
E.

[Dr. Wood ?]

Self portraits are the best sir, you can tell lies far easier

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .....................

[Ken Simm.]

A very visual collaboration. I remember one of my Grandmothers and the stories she told me. She was the landlady in a pub.
This is remarkable evocative and sits on the mind like a comfortable memory. I enjoyed this.
(2)

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks once again my friend! i appreciate the time you have taken to read around my streets and cobwebs ;) Zahra is always such a treat to work with ..she has been busy with school much lately but we are presently trying out another collab. all you mention is what we aimed for ..i am so glad it moved you so .. love and peace Ken!
E.

[A.C. Jones]

beautiful piece! I loved the very first stanza's description of her

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you AC .. and so nice to meet you! Zahra is a great inspiration and i had such fun working on this with her .. thank you again for the visit!
E.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

This made the memories fly and the tears flood...you are the needle but I am just thread...amazingly beautiful in my time of thanks.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh Queenie! and your reading and commenting floods my own memories ... thank you more than i can say .. its raining outside and i think i am feeling a little melancholy .. thanks my friend .. thank you for taking time here :))
E.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

It was my pleasure....may light shine through your window reminding you how bright you are to this melancholy world.....warm wishes dear poet!(ps.l love this video...it is a great accompaniment to this piece )

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you my friend ..you are very kind .. right back at ya!

[1VJ]

Seamless collaboration, made my heart ache. Lost my grandma several years ago. She was more the eye of the tiger than the needle type. :) I liked the reference to scripture here, camels and rich men, eh?

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! camels and rich men ;) grannies are tough ..no doubt about it .. most came from a place of hard work and sacrifice always lifting up family,prayer and faith. thanks for noticing this one Paloma.. my grandparents have crossed over long ago so my aches have abated and now only joy has replaced it ..for having known them and in the hope of seeing them when it is my time .. love and grace, Paloma
E.

[KWP]

This is a lovely collaboration and it is hard not to be immediately transported to my own Nan. Ah she was great, you know every time I slice a lemon, I think of her, she used to make her own lemonade and it was delicious. She had a Cockatoo that swore at the mailman 'Piss Off You Silly B*****d' and her garden was like a wonderland, every time I visited I honestly felt as if I were in a fairytale.

So has your poem here had an effect on me, well surely I did. A moment spent slipping back in time to childhood scenes of an abundance of love.

Really nice you guys X

[Einstein Noodle]

aw KW! that's the best!! thank you so much for sharing a bit about the magic your "nan" gifted to your life ..i love the Cockatoo!!! i can form the picture of your nan walking to the door to see who's there and the bird sounding off behind her ... so glad this one brought forth good memories for you ..love and peace my dear friend
E.

[Valentine]

Finding the eye of the needle can be tormenting when you have a hurry up sew job to do. Valentine

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha ...there were no hurrying my grannies ;) and if they were in a hurry better get out the way as they say :)) thanks for finding this one ..such a treat to work with Zahra
E.

[Ana Papaya]

Ah, ok. Now I know the inspiration for Al's poem.
I believe I read this when I was here as Ana Sophia.
You and Zahra have always done well writing together.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you ma'am! tho i am easily confused these days i already know who you are .. drives me crazy and takes a few weeks to get things straight in my head but we are getting to be "old friends" i think ;) thanks for taking time to re-read .. humbled at this inspiring another poem :)
E.
ps yes ..Zahra and i have done a few ;)

[Earl Schumacker]

Hi E.,

This was extraordinarily imaginative. Congratulations on creating a nice adventure for the mind. I particularly enjoyed, "the needles eye, like a vortex sucks the past to void and back again." I felt like I was literally being pulled through the needle into the material and out again into the void. This was a very nostalgic piece as well. Have a great day. (I'm enjoying your works. I wish I had more time.) Earl




and back again.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you very much Earl! it is very gratifying to know this brought such an experience to you .. i will be stopping by your place soon ...thnk you again for taking time and for such an encouraging review!
E.