This quilt is called "Can We Sew Peace By Morning." I was given the image as I awoke one morning after learning of the war in Iraq. The quilters are each expressing one of the many feelings we have when the world seems in trouble. Each one is sewing a sentiment onto their quilt of the new world of peace. Their quilt is not yet finished (depicted by the hanging threads at the bottom) and the sun is rising.
I was also inspired by attending local Quilters Guild meetings where I saw how extremely compassionate and generous the women are, often donating their handiwork to those in hospitals or who have lost everything in some disaster.
My quilt is about 4' square, is made by hand and machine with embroidery embellishment. It hangs in my private collection.
My Tribe Through Darkness
Comes Shining
When all is covered with dark lies
thick like debris from fallen towers
my people pick up hearts.
When all that is shown is tinted
with black greed and stained with blood
from false wars
my people wipe away tears
When even food is fake
and whole forests fall like leaves
and great ocean whales can barely breathe
my people still sing from the beach.
They sing a humble song
with full voices
crying out for the wisdom
any creature will share.
My people are reapers of the waste
of humankind,
willing to take anything tossed aside
and build with it a temple.
My people see in every scrap
a glimmer of the miracle
of creation to be brought forth through their hands.
Bring it on then, I say, let it all fall down
into our laps, into our receiving hands,
into our welcoming hearts.
We’ll make a new world out of anything
You give us.
Carol Bridges
December 19, 2004