Quilts

　　by Nikki Giovanni

　　 （for Sally Sellers）

　　 Like a fading piece of cloth

　　 I am a failure

　　 No longer do I cover tables filled with food and laughter

　　 My seams are frayed my hems falling my strength no longer able

　　 To hold the hot and cold

　　 I wish for those first days

　　 When just woven I could keep water

　　 From seeping through

　　 Repelled stains with the tightness of my weave

　　 Dazzled the sunlight with my Reflection

　　 I grow old though pleased with my memories

　　 The tasks I can no longer complete

　　 Are balanced by the love of the tasks gone past

　　 I offer no apology only this plea：

　　 When I am frayed and strained and drizzle at the end

　　 Please someone cut a square and put me in a quilt

　　 That I might keep some child warm

　　 And some old person with no one else to talk to

　　 Will hear my whispers And cuddle near