Today’s response to MURI’S 2020 CHALLENGE FOR NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. Like the 2019 challenge, this consists of 13 prompts, one for each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in April. They can be completed in any order. If you are interested in participating, click on the above link for the prompts and posting guidelines.
Prompt #4 is “Write a cascade poem.”
OK, Muri. About what? I guess that’s up to me. As I scan the room for inspiration, my eyes alight on an overfull laundry basket containing an afghan that has been in progress for ten years or so. Actually, it was a failed sweater that kind of cascaded into an afghan. ‘The Beast’ has been relegated to my Unfinished Projects Closet a number of times. (For more info on my UPC, click HERE.) One of my Lenten resolutions was to work on it for an hour or so every day. Having to stay in due to Coronavirus provided the necessary couch glue (a substance similar to writers’ chair glue) to get the job done. I am on the homestretch now, pulling from the very last skein. I should be finished by Easter.
CHANGE OF PLANS
Many rows of sweater unceremoniously unraveled
I exchanged my knitting needles for a crochet hook
Soon an oversized afghan shall rise from the ashes
Project Fair Isle began with 10 skeins of wooly yarn
and a novice’s zeal. Result not as ‘fair’ as I’d hoped
Many rows of sweater unceremoniously unraveled
A gorgeous tangle of blues and greens and indigos
too itchy to wear, too pricey to waste. What now?
I exchanged my knitting needles for a crochet hook
And crocheted a long row in the only stitch I know
doubled back and added 36 skeins found on E-Bay
Soon an oversized afghan shall rise from the ashes
Have a comment? Click HERE to share it!
JUST JOAN 42 
Good for you. Now you’ll have one less thing nagging at the back of your mind, plus a new couch cover, bedspread, dog blanket, or Christmas gift for someone. At least, that’s how our afghans end up being used.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m actually kind of sad to see the project come to an end. It feels like reading the last few pages of a book I wish could go on forever. How will I fill the hours now? The afghan will be all of the above… an Easter present for my hubby, who will use it as a couch cover, bedspread, and dog blanket. The dogs are already quite fond of it, flopping down on the edge while I’m working on it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brava!! The poem is excellent and so appropriate! And the afghan is a triumph too! Joan I like the way you play this challenge!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Muri. I have nicknamed the afghan “Phoenix” since it rose from the ashes of a failed project. I haven’t had much luck working on it today… the dogs keep needing attention, delivery people keep bringing boxes that I have to glove up to handle, then the contents need scrubbing. For heaven’s sake, the UPS guy dropped off a lawnmower today and left it on the porch in the rain. I had to rustle up our wheeled dolly and move it into the garage. In a little bit, it will be time start dinner. But tomorrow is a new day. 🙂
LikeLike
Good job on the poem and the afghan. Love the colors. Guess you will need to find another project now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, JR. I love those colors, too. The multi-colored yarn is called “violet meadow.” There are also two plain colors, blue denim and muted plum. Finding another project won’t be hard; I have a whole closet full of them in various states of completion. My next BIG project will be building the furniture for our 1966 VW Bus (from a kit), but I can’t get started until the body guy and seat reupholstery guy are done with their jobs. 🙂
LikeLike
You are welcome. I like the name. A violet meadow sounds so peaceful. 🙂
Good luck with your other projects! Its good to have something to keep busy at during these crazy times!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey JoyRoses, look what I found in my yard today! A violet meadow!
LikeLike
Oh how cool Thanks for sharing. Its a very blustery, cold day here today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I remember right, you moved house recently. Wouldn’t that have been a good time to finish (off) the UPC? You could have left it – like a housewarming gift – for the new owners.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The new owner is a single mom with a two-year-old. Trust me, she doesn’t want my half-baked projects. I got a letter from my old neighbor a few days ago, describing the girl who bought our home as a “higher consciousness introvert.” I’m not sure what that means, but I’m going to guess… Yoga – yes. Crocheting – no. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excuuuuuse me!!? Who says higher consciousness introverts don’t crochet??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you saying you are a higher consciousness introvert, 227? If so, can you please explain what it is? I’m not woo-woo enough to know. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remember when Obama took so much flak for telling Hillary in a debate “You are likeable enough”? . . . . .
42, you are woo-woo enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You shall get flak from me for comparing me to Hillary. Excuse me while I consult with my magic crystals about the woo-woo question. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person