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Poetry In Motion

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This poem is dedicated to my mother, Winifred Christine Stainbrook-Etgen

She was a quilter, extraordinair, who wowed me with her

creativity and tenacity. She created the most beautiful fabric landscapes.

She sits still, yet she travels. How? Her mind travels when she stitches, But not the way that others do when traversing the world. Surely her traveling counts, too, as motion. Motion in being here yet far away at the same time, traveling beyond time and space—lost in the silence of her mind. Motion in the fabric landscape she envisions and creates. Motion in her steady breathing. Motion in the posture of her sewing, her head bent for the task. Motion in her commitment and persistence. Motion in the rhythm and patience of her stitches. Motion in the way one hand leads while the other one helps. Motion in the pressure she gently exerts on the foot pedal. Motion in the cadence, the hand-eye coordination between her hands and her foot. Watching her quilt was poetry in motion. When finished, motion became a breathtaking work of art, a quilt imbued with e-motions and given gladly from her heart.

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Bill Baker

Date: 9/15/2023 4:57:00 PM

Congrats on your contest win, Sara! Yeah!!!! It was a nice poem and tribute to your mother and her many gifts. Love ya, Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/15/2023 5:04:00 PM

Thank you, my hubby, for you congratulatory message. Thanks, too, for appreciating my words and for your love for my mom. Du bist der Beste! just me

Sotto Poet

Date: 9/15/2023 2:41:00 PM

I am truly delighted to offer my sincere congratulations for your well-earned win in my contest. Your poetry is truly awe-inspiring, Sara.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/15/2023 5:03:00 PM

Wow! I'm excited about winning in your contest! Thanks for letting me know and for your compliment. Have a pleasant evening, sir.

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 9/14/2023 9:43:00 PM

Yes, every art work is a beauty. Your mom weaves verses through her exquisite art. I admit there are no words necessary to praise the beauty and grandeur of any art forms, their excellence speaks for themselves. Such a lovely tribute for your mom. Enjoyed reading Sara. I think, this is the first time am reading your inspiring ink... Hugs... ~ Ani

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/15/2023 4:07:00 AM

Thank you, Anitha, for stopping by. I agree every work of art is beauty. Some people's lives are works of art...others, not so much :-) I appreciate you and your kind words about my 'inspiring ink.' Have a pleasant day, Sara PS Yes, I believe it's your first visit. I'll check out your poems later today.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/14/2023 4:52:00 AM

That is a wonderful way to travel. It sounds like her artistry helped other people travel as well. That’s a nice picture of your mom. Thanks for sharing. The quilt is beautiful like your mom.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/15/2023 4:05:00 AM

ahhhh...thanks for your kind words about my mom and her quilt. She was the quintessential mother, seriously. You're right, her artistry and her spirit helped many people travel to new heights. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you.

Ink Empress

Date: 9/14/2023 1:57:00 AM

“ watching her quilt was poetry in motion” this is such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute for your beautiful mother. Is that a picture of her quilt? So gorgeous. This made me think of my childhood, when i learnt how to knit because something about it takes our mind to a different place like you’ve said here. Now i can see where your skills come from, your mother, artistic soul. Your love and admiration for her so well delivered. Fabric Landscape of art, i see here so well. Fave again

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/14/2023 4:07:00 AM

thank you, 'Ink,' for stopping by and reading my poem. I can always count on you seeing the motive behind my poems and appreciating the subtly. You're a dear poet friend. Yes, that's a picture of one of her quilts. Her 'fall' quilt that she gave me decades ago. I also have a beautiful Christmas quilt (poinsettias) that she made--all handmade while she was half blind. She felt the stitches. She was amazing. Thanks for your kind and sensitive words Enjoy your day, Sara

Vijay Pandit

Date: 9/13/2023 8:38:00 AM

Motion in the fabric landscape she envisions and creates--she is the work of art--as you so wonderfully illustrate, Sara. And poetry is a splendid metaphor to honor her with your heartfelt praise.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 9/13/2023 3:39:00 PM

thank you for your insightful comment, Vijay. I appreciate you stopping by.