ELLYANNA’S STORY CLOTH

Upon the birth of a girl child—

see her life threads

warped onto the loom in shades

of purple responsibilities, indigo forbiddens, pale brown sorrows.

Feel the weight of recipes calling for two cups of sugar

when she only has one.

But when she opens her eyes

for the first time,

I sense the golden weft

the over and under

of intention, invention,

and true love that she will weave

across each moment and movement of her days.

The yardage of her life’s story cloth

will shimmer and change

when sunlight strikes it.

In the darkness

her colors will rest,

and keep us warm.