As if designed to happen I received an email notice from Messina, Sicily yesterday: Third prize awarded to Bill RussoPoetry contest 2014, Messina (Italy) FOREIGN SECTION Awardees: 1st Emelise Aleandri Columbus Day March New York 2nd Giacomo Cannizzaro Messina di notte Bruxelles 3rd William Russo THreads of Love New York Honorable Mention to : Kaiesnaj laoui from Tunisia أحبني كما انا ( mi ha amato come sono) Threads of Love by William Russo Threads of love hold, can hold us together. When I fall, or when I need repair, Memories of Mamma, who set the pattern, make me stronger. I turn to her for examples of courage, to wear pride, to rise, to go on, to love. If my heart was changed, broken, or in love; for games played, lost or won, she would be there to inspire, I can go on. Her name was Anna, she came by ship, the Vulcania to America. She attended ‘Accademia Italiana di Taglio’ in Napoli to prepare. In her town of Montoro, Italy Anna learned by example from women many years beyond her own, and she too became a Seamstress, ‘una Sarta.’ Threads of love, sewn with care, strength and tenderness I am her fabric, formed by her hands and heart, here and there, who I am, anywhere. An immigrant from Italy, a bride to William after the war. She sewed invisible threads in me from America to ‘Italia’ in who I became to be and love for Italy. All lifelong she could restore me, make me new Simple words, “I fix”, “No worry”, “, Vieni qui, bella Mamma” Always with steady joy, clean cuts and stitches, hems unseen Sew a button, zzip a zipppper, mend a tear, sew a seam. Make someone feel completely new? Yes, she could! A dress, a suit, everyone knew, go see Anna by Mamma’s hands or by work on the Singer machine Pins, needles, cotton. material, patterns, Yes, she would! Anna measured for size, “I sew for you” she’d say, asking you to stay for a while. They heard about Anna, how she sewed, All were as much in wonder of her work as the way she welcomed you, grand embraces, kisses and smiles every time; Italian eyes, . Wonderful mother, far away daughter and sister, dutiful wife She touched so many through her hands and heart. You felt at home with Anna, “I cook, I work, you ‘mangia’!. Repaired, restored or new, every visit the same result: the finish was a cheerful, long goodbye. Her invisible threads sewn into the recollections of joyful moments, Mamma welcomed all, as diverse as we are, as different as materials and threads can be. Her spirit worked her ways in cotton, silk, chiffon, denim and lace, in velour; crafting in curtains, linens, aprons, blouses, dresses, pants, suits and more. And as she aged even the wrinkles of her face seemed just right in the pattern of her beautiful life. Threads of love, sewn with care, strength and tenderness I am her fabric, formed by her hands and heart, here and there, who I am, anywhere.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 11:42:46 +0000
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