
Let me begin by expressing my outrage and sorrow at the recent events in Uvalde, TX. My thoughts, prayers, and tears are with the families in that community and teachers everywhere. May you find the strength to carry on.
Tomorrow is my 45th wedding anniversary. This week I unboxed the wedding dress I wore that day, the one I created and embroidered. I examined the stitching, wondering how I managed that accomplishment, while acknowledging that I must have always had a creative side, just expressed it differently. While once I created with sewing and handwork, now I create with words.
Yesterday I met with a friend who will use pieces of the dress to make a table runner for my daughter. Appropriately, it will lay atop the table my husband made for her when she bought her house.
The Dress
I finger the silky fabric,
remembering
a young girl
with daisies in her hair
waltzing in the dress she designed,
stitched,
embroidered.
Remembering
the dress
billowing in the breeze,
then tucked away.
Tucked away but never completely forgotten
through a life she designed,
stitched,
embroidered
with love and learning,
joys and sorrows.
I finger the silky fabric one last time
before the dress is just a memory—
transformed
but never completely forgotten.
Draft, 2022Rose Cappelli

Linda has the round up today at A Word Edgewise with a beautiful tribute to students and teachers. Please visit to find lots of poetry goodness.