"Weaving" by Donald Mason

 Tears roll down my face 
Build a wall on my pillow 
Cacoon me so 
I may never leave 
Weaving together like memories 
Of other times I've cried 

I stare at the ceiling 
Or where it would be 
If the room wasn't so dark 
Or my eyes woven shut by the 
memories 
Of other times I tried 

The moonlight stops at my window 
The curtains closed 
The shade drawn tight 
Both woven from the toughest stuff 
That, once, I might have been 

No more "could be's" or even wishes 
At last the thread has run out 
My last breath chokes on crying 
Breaks on memories 
But I will never cry again 

Tears weave a body 
Upon the birthing loom 
I cry myself to death 
And wake in my new mother's womb


Posted February 22, 2000.