The Mardi Gras Quilt

One piece of fabric

Colored by an Ohio, or a Canton, factory

Cut with sharp scissors

Along lines which were partly on the pattern and

Partly in her mind--

Cut using a mirror to guide the scissors

So that the one piece of fabric

Yielded eight Mardi Gras patterns.

Eight Mardi Gras patterns

Each mocking the other,

Each segment of each pattern

Mocking the other

Now sewn together

Bound against their yellow background

Waiting for the expressions of awe and wonder

Of all who look upon it.

--February 1, 2013