Diction's Dicty Delights: Poem, "To Dye Today"

[untonuggan]

(Note: posting this a couple hours early so I don't forget in my state of brain fugue.)

I had a bit of trouble getting into gear for this poem, as I've mostly switched to attempting to use, if not Simple English, then closer-to-Simple-English purely for accessibility reasons for most of my blog posts, etc. (Note: I do not always succeed). So while I sat staring at the screen and wrote a couple stanzas of a poem that was just not me, I changed everything up and decided to pick a topic that is near and dear to my heart: yarn. I spin, and knit, and all manner of fiber things. It's a Thing.

Here, for your enjoyment, is the poem that flowed from the simple choice changing topics made.

To Dye Today
by untonuggan 

When I delicately dip the handspun yarn

(made with a loving twist and flick of my fingers

by ancient art honed by women of yore)

into the swirling bath of dye

(a sunburst of turmeric, pokeberry vermilion,

Nature’s dyes of every hue, none trumped by King Indigo)

the wool blossoms in the water and

(small fiber scales teased open with vinegar,

the sheepish dragon’s guard relaxed for dyeing)

the yarn transforms: a butterfly in chrysalis.

(I the Alchemist with my quest for God and gold,

or perhaps a hedge witch with my call for healing)

Comments

[ashestosnow]

You've managed to capture the intricacies of the physical actions involved here, as well as their effects on the emotions. I felt like I was there with you, for a moment, feeling the wool between my fingers and watching it swell and flush with the dye; and I've never personally dyed wool, so I find that quite a feat.

I enjoyed this very much.

[untonuggan]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate your comment. ^__^

Glad you enjoyed!

(And yes, there is definitely a very emotional process in dyeing wool as well as a physical act, glad that you were able to pick up on that through the poem.)

[raze]

Oooh, yes - action! I think a lot of people stereotype yarncraft as something boring that little old ladies do without considering the labor and movement and skill that goes into it. Thanks for sharing!

[untonuggan]

That's me, breaking stereotypes of yarncraft one stitch/dye bath at a time! Thanks for reading and enjoying. :D

[lynnoconnacht]

Oooooh, that's so preeeeeeeetty. <3<3<3<3 I love how gentle and soft and meditative it is. And so tactile. (Er, basically I want to repeat what ashestosnow said except differenly. I think. I second that comment anyway.)

It's just such a moving poem in multiple senses of the word and it's so filled with colour and life and emotion. I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing it. <3