I didn’t intend to write and post a poem today for Poetry Friday. But then I read Margaret Simon’s post, and I was hooked on trying a nestling poem. In it, she reviews Irene Latham’s forthcoming book This Poem Is a Nest, and encourages readers to try out a nestling poem – to read a poem, choose words that call to you, then craft them into a new poem.
So, I opened up a file of poems I love and chose “Midnight Stray” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. I chose fragile, tattered, whisper, stars, and love. Rebecca’s poem is about a cat, but the word “tattered” reminded me of a quilt.
The Quilt
The quilt,
edged with fading stars,
tattered from years of love,
whispers secrets,
whispers memories,
whispers a reminder
that perhaps,
with proper care,
the world is not so fragile.
Thanks, Margaret, Rebecca, and Irene!
Imagine the Possibilities 
One of my thoughts of late is that perhaps the earth still has some resilience and can forgive us if we are kinder to it. Wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing that. I too love Rebecca’s work and this interesting poetic form
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Thanks for reading and responding. I think this form is similar to a found poem, but with a little more leeway. I love the idea of small poems nestling inside larger ones.
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Well, this just brings back all the memories! We lived in the basement of my partner’s grandmother’s house when we were first dating in college, and she was an avid quilter. One of my jobs was to thread countless needles for her! She left us a few quilts when she passed, and one of them is decorating our baby’s room right now. ❤ She was a tiny, tiny lady, it seemed like a gust of wind would blow her away, but she was a tough cookie alright, with a strength that came from within, rather than without.
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Thanks for sharing your lovely story. I’m glad my poem brought back such sweet memories.
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Thanks for your lovely quilt poem! I love the thought that the world is tougher than we think. We could sure use that these days! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Ruth!
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Your poem reminds me how fabrics — quilts, clothing, cross-stitch passed down through generations is a powerful connection. Did you see Amy LV’s Poetry Friday post?
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Thanks Lauren. Yes, I saw Amy’s poem about the lace curtains. Beautiful.
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Rose- you and Margaret wrote such lovely poems, you’ve inspired me to try this form. Thank you!
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I love Rebecca’s poetry and how you planted it into a new poem about connection and hope. Thanks!
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