Mary Rodriguez

all the others in class knew how to
sew well
skilled at tatting, knitting, weaving
two owned looms
yet I envisioned a basket made by me
the craftless woman

everyone finished their basket during the 6-hour class
their designs subtle, their colors subdued
a dainty Easter basket, a Victorian hat
I didn’t even finish
my base
big red squares
not exactly square
nor uniform in size

My finished basket’s
become a receptacle
holding whatever fits
looking for what I’ve misplaced
I remember the grand basket I’d imagined
and marvel at the hours it holds