Don't ever let go of the thread

The Way It Is by William Stafford

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

"Don’t ever let go of the thread. "

Her eyes welled with tears.

How had she forgotten this? 

“While you hold it you can’t get lost.”

You. Can’t. Get. Lost.

She was weeping openly now, but again felt like something huge had shifted.

She picked up her knitting.  The cat curled up beside her sensing this was not the time to yowl for food.

She slipped the right needle into the left and brought the yarn forward. 

Knit one front and back, knit to end of row. 

Knit to end of row.  And then?

Then transfer the needle to the other hand and begin again.