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A Stitch In Time

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Awarded First Place

A Stitch in Time

Elaine George

Contest Description

What to Submit?

Now, here's a challenge.....

Write me a sixteen line poem, and I've already given you lines one, nine and sixteen, which are-

1- ' Sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust'

9- 'The war years seemed like only yesterday'

16- 'The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark'

Off you go, then......

Awarded: First Place

Sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust
     In a house where a maiden's dreams were crushed
     An open seam forever left impaled
     Discolored remnants of a wedding veil

     Beneath a stitch in time that came too late
     A silver needle sewed her final fate
     A blushing bride she never was to be
     A spinster was to be her destiny
          
     The war years seemed like only yesterday'  
     As I gazed on the ruins and disarray
     A mildewed wedding dress that stood in wait
     Beneath layers of soggy tattered lace

     Then beneath the leaking roof and fallen beams
     I heard the humming of that old machine
     As she tried to mend the dream that fell apart
     The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark


Author:  Elaine Cecelia George

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David Smith

Date: 9/2/2020 12:26:00 AM

Truly seamless. Best regards David in NZ

Bartholomew Williams

Date: 6/20/2018 9:36:00 AM

Elaine, congratulations on a beautiful albeit tragic piece, as well as your first-place win! I appreciate that your poem is a metaphor for much of life. We often fail to realize our dreams, and sadly, once it's too late, try to recapture them. Here's to both of us living and fulfilling our dreams real-time!! All my very best to you and yours always! :) Bartholomew

Elaine George
Date: 6/22/2018 10:06:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Bartholomew...and for your much appreciated comments. elaine

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/2/2018 8:30:00 AM

I see you are a masterful seamstress, congrats on a fine win. The Judge has excellent taste.

Elaine George
Date: 6/4/2018 6:24:00 AM

Thanks for stopping by...and for your very kind comments, Richard...much appreciated. Elaine

Dean Wood

Date: 5/8/2018 11:09:00 AM

I knew this would do well! Congratulations! You "stitched" Viv's lines together masterfully. Well done. -- Dean

Elaine George
Date: 5/11/2018 2:35:00 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Dean...and for your very kind comments. Elaine

Sandra Haight

Date: 5/3/2018 1:56:00 PM

So beautifully and thoughtfully written using the line prompts, Elaine. Congratulations on your 1st Place win in the contest! Hugs, Sandra

Elaine George
Date: 5/4/2018 5:54:00 AM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Sandra.

Ralph Sergi

Date: 5/3/2018 7:16:00 AM

Great approach to a difficult poem, Elaine

Elaine George
Date: 5/4/2018 5:53:00 AM

Thank you so much, Ralph.

Joyce Johnson

Date: 5/2/2018 2:39:00 PM

You did wonderfully well with this rather difficult contest. It was hard to find a way to tie these lines together. You managed beautifully. Congratulations.

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:15:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Joyce. Much Appreciated. Elaine

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 5/2/2018 2:03:00 PM

A compelling story, Elaine. Although she didn't remarry, the reader wonders if she ever found happiness again. Beautifully written. Congratulations on taking first place! Hugs, Carolyn

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:15:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Carolyn. Those three lines really set my imagination on fire. Lainie

Jan Allison

Date: 5/2/2018 11:47:00 AM

Such an emotive piece Elaine:-) Many congratulations on your win in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:14:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Jan.

Susan Gentry

Date: 5/2/2018 9:39:00 AM

Oh my! This is hauntingly beautiful and I see how it #1 on the winner's list. Congratulations!

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:14:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Susan.

Old Goat

Date: 5/2/2018 8:11:00 AM

Oh Elaine, this is brilliant. So vivid and thought provoking. You had me from the opening rhyme!

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:13:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Old Goat. LoL. I'M an old goat too. Much appreciated.Elaine.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/2/2018 7:25:00 AM

Back for congrats on your top win! I knew I would see it there!!

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:13:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Kim.

Charles Messina

Date: 5/2/2018 7:03:00 AM

We could have easily pulled the needle from the haystack with this amazing write. Congrats on your 1st place victory Elaine, All the best...Charlie

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:12:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Charlie.

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/2/2018 5:49:00 AM

Wow, Elaine, what an emotive write. Lovely. Congrats on your top win.

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:12:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, my poetic friend. Elaine

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/2/2018 2:45:00 AM

Beautiful verse Elaine, and this happened to so many during the war years. Congratulations. Tom.

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:11:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Tom.

Paul Callus

Date: 4/30/2018 2:49:00 PM

Undoubtedly you found those three prompts inspiring, Elaine. I've read a handful of very good entries, and this is one of them. The ending is superb! Regards // paul

Elaine George
Date: 5/2/2018 5:11:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind comments, Paul.