poetry

a new take on an old idea

a new take on an old idea

it’s been done for thousands of years
knit one sock
then do it all again
old women and young
twisting the yarn
wind-chapped fishermen
pulling one loop through the next
casting off then on
catching their foot in a net
knowing how it will all play out
going through the motions anyway

now here comes a new way
make one tube
and with some waste yarn
work in places for the heels to grow and bend,
the bond that kisses the toes to separate

the two still made from the same stuff
now independent
still warm cheery delicate
without retreading the same path

but as for me
I’d still do it all again
(or at least most of it –
I’d skip the concussions if I could)
I’m not casting about
for anything new