Last week I spent the whole of one afternoon (and part of another) reading entries to our Why I Weave contest. Those we received ran the gamut, from funny and clever to heart-wrenching and sincere. There were stories of loss; how weaving pulled people from depression and sadness. There were stories of hope; how weaving provides something that can never be taken away. There were stories of connection; how weaving binds us to each other and our ancestors. There were stories about seeking balance; how weaving grounds us.
While I suspected I would learn something from reading the entries to this contest, I had no idea how connected it would make me feel to all of you. Your stories are our stories. I wish we could respond to each entry, to meet each of you, to share our stories.
And now, the winner:
Congratulations to JacQuelineKeller. This was her entry:
I weave to draw these
Spiderthoughts
Reel them out my tangled center
Each pass
Unravelling the knot I know
and know not
I have become
I weave to draw these
Spiderthoughts
Help me meander
Coax fiber into Being
Shape shapeless lines
Shape shapeless dreams
Touch
Touch
I weave to draw down
Spiderthoughts
Unreel them out my chaos heart
Each pass
Foundations laid in twined refined
A bridge
A shield
A flag of un-surrender
I weave to draw these
Spiderthoughts
New veins fresh planes of unmarred flesh
Story of birth rebirth
Told over
Ten-fold over
Never miss a
Beat
Beat
Beat
