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.

[Nisreen]

You bring this image of grandma to life
the solitude you find within any place she lives

all those little things
and she lives forever long after she is gone

this piece is beautiful

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Nisreen ...always ...for your reviews! we do love our grannies eh!? ;) glad you like this one!
E.

[Zahra]

thank you so much Nisreen

[Philip Muls]

Your poem breathes time and commands respect for the old. Praying for admittance...I like that very much. The sweet illusion of afterlife.

This is a great piece which makes me quiet and wondering.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh man! thank you so much for saying so ...could not ask for a better experience for readers ... thank you again sir!
E.

[Tomás Ó C..]

Assumed forever.... alas life is not that kind...

[Einstein Noodle]

hey my friend! nice of you to stop and read ..much appreciated ... working as a Registered Nurse in critical care ..assumption was and is a cardinal sin ;) sometimes it can be a hard slap that re-learns us eh!?
E.

[Pryde Foltz]

burying under tulips and boughs
accounts of all seasons spent
the needles eye, like a vortex
sucks the past to void

and back again.

In the end the only thing that passes through the needle is love. Beautiful write, Einstein:)

[Zahra]

Wow, thank you for your beautiful words Pryde.

[Einstein Noodle]

that is Zahra's verse ..my favorite ..not surprised you pointed it out in particular ... and yes!!!!!!!! love ;)
E.

[Zahra]

Woohoo, finally published. It's one of my moist favorites. Really loved the theme. Thank you for sharing this wonderful venture with me.

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you for joining in and inspiring its finish Zahra! ... i enjoyed the non-rushed timeline we placed on it ;)
E.

[Zahra]

So did I. :)