After Mama died I unraveled
the hem of one of her blouses
sewing a dress
for my granddaughter
an invisible thread
to re-stitch her back to life
for years during holidays Mama feigned
headaches toothaches stomach aches
claiming nobody really cares
what ailed Mama
knotting tufts of sadness
with each grief she held
I carry her disquiet
stitched in my blueprint
Mama teach me how
to untie knots
without unraveling myself
