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Sew Sorry

Sew Sorry A shaft or gear is stuck or broke The needle won’t make one more stroke I cannot sew because of them I can’t repair my pant leg’s hem I cannot make a blouse or skirt I cannot sew – my heart is hurt That old machine was once brand new My mother had it – it was due I remember it in mother’s room The needle flew – the motor zoom The fancy gears for button holes And even more for fancy scrolls And even now I can recall The sewing patterns from McCall The bolts of cloth that she picked out Though all we children had out doubts But then it saw much harder times Long before I called it mine Baptized by my mother’s drink More than once I’d have to think And scars it bore from cigarettes Left to burn with no regrets I can’t recall the very day She closed it up – packed it away It just sat there on her floor And she sewed nothing any more And as the years crept slowly by Under piles of trash it lie Until the day I took it home And claimed it for my very own I cleaned and oiled that old machine Until it sparkled – till it gleamed I made the clothes that I then wore I couldn’t afford those from the store I could make a dress, a skirt, a blouse And decorations for my house A table cloth, a pillow case That old machine kept up the pace I could make things cool and cute I even sewed my guy a suit And when my daughters came along That old machine was going strong They wore the clothes that I would sew As off to school each day they’d go But they grew up and moved away And I kept sewing till today After 50-60 years I guess I wore out all the gears I broke a shaft, I cracked the case I guess it’s time now I replace That old machine that served me well If it could talk – the tales to tell Of lonely nights in mother’s hands Her dreams, her thoughts, her many plans Mistakes and triumphs through the years The sounds of laughter, pools of tears The scraps of cloth that made a quilt The life that this machine had built I think of it – my eyes go starry And all I can say is I’m sew sorry

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013




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Date: 12/18/2013 9:18:00 PM
wonderful and poignant poem - i thoroughly enjoyed it...
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Date: 12/18/2013 7:28:00 PM
This is such a great poem...it had me reading along without taking a breath. Life through a sewing machine, so creative and well said, though some sadness.
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Date: 12/18/2013 3:53:00 PM
It's so sad when something so beloved gives out after all those years. I really enjoyed this lovely poem. love your word play too.
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Date: 12/18/2013 1:18:00 PM
- I have taken care of such an old sewing machine - it has worked night and day ... saved a lot of money .... collected many memories .... Now ... just resting. - A nice poem to read Mike! - Thanks for your memories. - Happy Christmas! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Book: Shattered Sighs