Paul Dickey: ‘The Native American Quilt’ and ‘A Philosopher’s Response to Words of Wisdom from His Wife’

The Native American Quilt

Native American in browns and reds
and design, if we hold it still in place,
my wife and I don’t see its age, just grace,
with only a hint of its tell-tale shreds.
But should it slide an inch, the sofa’s stains
and threads embarrassingly show through,
and try as we do to ignore, we knew
an odd harmony is all that remains.

It does no good to recall it as new,
or argue if it’s Navajo or Sioux.
From some debates now even we refrain.
There’s all to lose and nothing to gain.
It’s true—we said everything we’ve said,
While nights and years would come with us to bed.

Paul Dickey

A Philosopher’s Response to Words of Wisdom from His Wife

She often says to let it go
when logic’s passion provokes me so,
or just to turn the other cheek,
not prove their criticism weak.

And I should learn to avoid
all words that sound paranoid.
“Find in what’s said only what’s true.
The other words aren’t meant for you.”

“Yes, dear, I wish it were that way,
but your assumptions lead astray,
for what is hard is that I care
to risk the truth that we would share.”

It’s not that I’m unable to cope,
but know the truth for which I grope.

Paul Dickey