The Quilt

by Esther Thornburg
(Cantril, Iowa USA)

Why is the quilt a precious piece?
It holds stories and memories, all in place.

The materials, they hope, will last.
They're colors that match and colors in contrast.

A piece of material saved from this and from that,
All placed in the quilters stack.

They form the diamonds, squares or fans.
It is the result of long laid plans.

There is a seam here, a seam there.
It has lines of quilted stitches everywhere.

There is matching binding all around.
When finished it is a treasure found.

They hold stories recalled from the past.
It is a valued and treasured gift at last.