Part IV

Bless the coat there by the doorway Bless the stitches Bless the thread that's served us Held us to each other Bless the needle and bless the hole Bless this body and all its mending May it be lifted like water May it be scattered like rain Take the fruits that bend down these branches Their ripeness is ready May they nourish another Bless this needle May it be lifted Bless the canopy of leaves yet to fall And the walkway they land on Wet with love and longing Bless our hearts left over from the flood Bless the stitches And bless the thread that's served us Holds us Holds us to each other Bless the smell of the soft earth Bless the smell of the soft earth that is our home May we be lifted like water May we be scattered