Knit a Poem..

..with The Poetry Society

How to Knit a Poem

Gwyneth Lewis


The whole thing starts with a single knot

and needles. A word and pen. Tie a loop

in nothing. Look at it. Cast on, repeat


the procedure till you have a line

that you can work with.

It’s a pattern made of relation alone,


my patience, my rhythm, till empty bights

create a fabric that can be worn,

if you’re lucky and practised. It’s never too late


to pick up dropped stitches, each hole a clue

to something that might be bothering you,

though I link mine with ribbons and pretend


I meant them to happen. I make a net

of meaning that I carry round

portable, to work on sound


in trains and terrible waiting rooms.

It’s thought in action. It redeems

odd corners of disposable time,


making them fashion. It’s the kind of work

that keeps you together. The neck’s too tight,

but tell me honestly: How do I look?


© 2007, the BBC

From: How to Knit a Poem

Publisher: BBC Radio 4, London, 2007

Comments

raining sheep said…
I love this! So cute....I think any knitter would truly appreciate this. Hope you are having a great summer. I am enjoying my blog break.
Bells said…
"I make a net of meaning that I carry around" - that is so great. I'm going to carry that line around with me. Thank you!
Rose Red said…
I love this.
Thank you.
t does wool said…
oh...thank you...I love this as well,Sarah.

Popular posts from this blog

Elsa's Babbit

"As in knitting, as in life"

Blogiversary Again!