The Underbelly of This Seam
Slides beneath your gaze, unnoticed,
but the joining satisfies that particular
urge, combining two separates
into one whole, creating this new
piece. I thumb the string on every fourth
beat, anchor the cloth, pull it taut, and stitch.
What better material than air and silence?
Yesterday’s tune, tomorrow’s silk?
A fine breath zigzagged down the edge – frayed
lines, beneath, on the other side, testifying
to the struggles of the unseen. I exhale,
strike another note. You hum something new.
* * *
“The Underbelly of This Seam” was drafted during the August 2016 Tupelo Press 30/30 Challenge. Many thanks to Ursula, who sponsored the poem and provided the title.
O at the Edges 
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As a seamstress, I love this – snagged a copy when you posted last year and delighted to read again. Couple of curiosities …
Have you considered seaming recordings of your guitar and flute?
Did you plan this as companion to Stephanie’s post today? (Could be two views of same scene! “Seam-ly”)
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I might try to do that someday, if I ever manage to coax decent sound out of the shakuhachi. I’m more likely to merge guitar with mandolin (though I haven’t touched the mando in over a year). No, we’re seldom that organized. Ha!
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