broken sail
6/9/03

I cut the sails of my ship
from my home and from my past
sewn together with care--like memories
billowy or willowy, we stick together

the sails look strong
surely stout enough for my vessel
I run light to ease their job
And they sail me swiftly to the horizon

still their easy task seems burdened
things fall apart
the stitching cannot hold
mere anarchy is loosed upon my craft

I sew again my sails with care
twice the thread, doubly strong
for they want to billow again
and I want to let them

still their easy task again seems burdened
the sails split and flail
and my home and past 
hang in the sky taunting me

there is plenty of thread
but how many stitches will it take
to keep my sails full of wind
if the stitching cannot mend a simple tear