The Organic Poet
The Pedal of the Sewing Machine @Mazza793
I spent my weekends watching her foot press the pedal
Of the old Singer sewing machine
Fascinated by the silver tooth which chewed
And bit the wool and cotton under her finger
As she fed it through the metal mouth
Watching dresses and trousers
Appear like magic from the threaded
Mess
It was a few years later that I began to
Lose the stitch
Of my brow and arms and
Mouth
Falling apart with a rip here and there
Arms joined to torso with loose threads
As if the air and sun and night slowly
Was removing the tacking which joined me to
My skin
My clothes becoming as long and dark
As a priest’s
Hiding like a badger under cloth
But I knew that strong feet
And hands can piece together
A flooded eye or bent back
If they moved as fast as a dressmaker’s finger:
They could make a shirt of spring or dress of armour
With flashes of silver and steel
The balance wheel always moving forward
Let it move, let it move
Name: Maria Papageorgiou-Foroudi
Place of residence: Melbourne, Australia
Your favourite quote: I said to the almond tree- "Sister, speak to me of God". And the almond tree blossomed... Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco
Your one wish for the world: Treat one another with empathy and support