Stitch In Time

A Stitch In Time...

By

Ophelia Mae Hancock

August 23, 2022

I need serenity in a place where I can hide
I need serenity nothing changes days go by *

Such as it is for me, the neverending stitches that weave
I feel compelled to create them
Weave them
Draw my needle through the unweilding fabric that just seems so thick, so tough
I must pull the thread slowly, it cannot knot, it cannot break
Else I have to cut and begin again
Having no idea where the fraying may begin or end

I inevitbly stab my guiding finger
No thimble for me
No shield
No protection
I must be pure and true to my purpose

But my blood stains the beautiful squares
The squares that, although quite different, are meant to become one
It seems as if my purpose is to bring them together
A bit of crimson seems a small price to pay

They should take my bloody sacrifice
It is graciously given
They should take what, deep in my cells, makes me just me
What leads me to my dedication to them
Wholly and separately from any other being, any other source
No other hand could weave them with such a delicate and intricate manner as mine
None could be more nimble than mine

I sit, burning the midnight oil, while the world sleeps
My glasses perched upon my nose, such that I can see
See the beautiful differences, and sense how each one fits into place
Line up the edges of each square
Assure they are quite even, quite fitting in their positions
They must be perfect
It is my task at hand
I must finish before dawn

I'm a work on it, pray on it, and stay in it **

The bright light of my trusty lamp is nearly more than I can stand
Yet it has always been with me, but has never shined this bright before in all my life
But it must be a beacon
A port within the storm
Regardless of my eyes watering with its strength
It must be

This masterpiece is destined to be created, and created by just me alone
I am blessed with the task at hand
Yet I also feel cursed
It is such an intricate struggle, but the suffering conveys its own beauty
Nothing worth having comes easy
I belong to it, much as if a deed were placed on my body and soul

It will soon be beautiful
It will soon comfort and warm
It will soon be much as a mother's arms around her baby
It will nurture
It will most certainly not be in vain

So, I stitch well into the wee hours
I rest not, I have a higher calling
A seamstress of the soul

I glance up from my dedication to see the break of dawn
I have weathered the storm
I have fought the good fight
I feel as if I have won
But from what have I won?
I have not sensed a war, a struggle.
I have only felt compelled to create one from many

So, I allow myself a sigh of relief from my toil
I indulge myself with a sense of pride and satisfaction from my perservenance
I have answered my calling

I neatly clip the last stray thread from my finished project
I lovingly fold it in a most orderly way
I smooth my hands over it with great care
It must be perfect

I hear the knock at my door
I peak out, seeing that the sun has not quite peaked
The prolific grasses are still damp with dew
I open the door




I see him, the leader who has commissioned my labor
I am happy and relieved to see his presence
Knowing he will value such
I greet him, and although pride is a sin, I cannot help but to gush

Althea graciously hands her labor of love to Duke
“Thank you for your efforts” states Duke
“My pleasure” exclaims Althea
She hands her treasure over to its rightful owner, giving it one last caress before parting

“I can tell you have expressed love” sighs Duke
“Yes I have” sighs Althea.
“We will care for it, we will treasure it” assures Duke
Althea is able to release her treasure, feeling it will be adored.

Althea feels a sense of gratification that she was able to express her love
She watches with joy as Duke walks away with her child

But once he rounds the corner, she catches a dismaying glimpse
In her mind's eye, she can see her child dragging upon the dirty dewy ground

She is crestfallen
How can one toss aside the pure love she has imparted
She has asked for nothing in return
She has only wanted to love
How can they be so blind

Althea closes the door and puts away her needle



* Godsmack – Serenity
** Tricky – My Evil Is Strong