Mending Poem by Lesley Bates

What mending do you have to do, a woman asked of me
One thing that needs a stitch – perhaps there’s even three
What mending asked the woman again, making it quite plain
That there were more than three things and shirking would not gain.

I thought of Mother’s mending box where I kept such things like that
In my mind’s eye there was no more and that was the simple fact!
What mending, came the voice again, this time from out a chair
I have this and that and nothing else – I spoke out; now be fair!

What mending gasped the lady, more strident than the first
I noticed how you spoke today, and on pain you seem well versed
Hurt and sorrow, pain and grief are all emotions that are worst
When held inside it needs to be mended – and so reversed.

And shall I tell you sweetly dear – that your mending is to bless
Errors done just yesterday or in the days before – recall and then confess
That leaving things un-mended, it never was the best
Repair them now by seeing; repenting makes them less.

Spend some time to think of them, to wish them well and healed
To put them in your heart my dear – such mending now revealed
Send the love out from your soul – weave magic, hearts can heal
Weave repair with heart and mind; mend each hurt you feel.

Cast the moot out from your eye – YOUR pain you see with ease
But you can cleanse that loved ones soul, kisses sent with a breeze
The ones you hurt yourself with words – time or years ago
A weaving cross time, place and cause; with mending - love will grow.

The mending dear will set you free – the weaving you have given
To rid yourself and others of pain, YOUR hurt first must get driven
So tell me now again – DEAR ONE – what depths have now been striven
To heal ALL hurts to ease all pain – forgiveness now is given.

So what mending do you have to do – this time; tell me a truth
There’s lots and lots; oh woman dear. I’ll hide no untruth
I’ll kneel and pray and from my mind, I’ll send a prayer out for each unkind
That I have placed upon another: sister, brother, workmate, other.

I’ll weave and sew a life renewed,
With healing love and self reviewed
To know that all people suffer pain,
From hurt and life; but there is a gain
To know that mending can affect a cure,
To blend forgiveness does for sure
Bring peace of mind and kindness too,
For thinking of souls helps my life too.