covered by generations

my great-grandmother's 

hand work remains.

evidence of her nimble fingers

piecing together quilts

made from strips of 

cloth from clothing worn 

by my ancestors.

the quilts survived a house fire

and remain a link 

to stories and lives

of folks i only know

through faded 

pictures.

one of these old quilts,

i use. 

on cold tennessee nights

i cover myself 

with the colors and

stories from generations ago.

on chilly nights and early mornings 

as i reflect on my life, 

sometimes worry about my life...

i realize the significance of being 

covered and nurtured

held and hugged

by the treads and stitches,

pieces and knots 

of the quilt 

and of the stories 

created by the hands of my great-grandmother. 

literally, 

i am wrapped

in history...

and with this

knowledge 

i am comforted

and covered by

generations 

who have come before me.

with this history

i gain courage 

and am bolstered by love

to step into 

my future.