A loom weight lost these many millennia
sits proud on heavy soil
held in my hand, it speaks of loving toil
the spinning of fabric
to clothe a family
and a connection is made
she spoke ancient Greek
a colonist deep in Sicily’s heartland
I stroke the fingerprint left in once moist clay
and say Hello
Copyright © 2017 Kim Whysall-Hammond
For Dverse
This loom weight was fund in Western Sicily, whilst I was working on an archeological survey many many years ago. It came home with me and I still look at her fingerprint and say hello……
The Cheesesellers Wife 
Oh gosh—I can’t even tell you how much I love this. The object, this ancient woman, the making of cloth for her family, and then your connection through this object so many centuries later. I could read this one over and over, and now you have me imagining her. 💙
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“My work here is done…..” :)
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😀
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Merril’s right. Familiar objects like this bring the past alive. You’re lucky to have such a reminder, and to be able to put your thumb against hers.
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Very lucky!
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A wonderful connection, esp given the fingerprint. Funny how time vanishes upon reflection, eh? Well done, Kim1
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Thank you Ron. I think finding that association is when I started deliberately keeping/making souvenirs of trips– glassware from Malta, a carpet from Jordan, my sons Bear Bell from Canada etc
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What an amazing find and equally amazing that you can have it….and place your finger in history or herstory actually!
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Yes, indeed! Italian law says no archaeological relics can be taken form the country without permission, but I had permission from Palermo University. And, critically, permission from the local Mafia boss. but that’s another story.
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Wow!!! Nice one
Much💜love
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Thank you Gillena!
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Very interesting! Love the sentiments in your poem.
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Thank you!
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Rich story you tell in 10 lines! I love thinking about the weavings she made and how important they were to her family. Hope you will join in the December Fake Flamenco Poetry Challenge!
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Thanks Rebecca. I’m generally hopeless at getting poems from prompts, but seem to be on a roll at the moment, so I’ll give your challenge a try!
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Wonderful, glad to hear that you’re on a roll! Funny, I thought you were already! ;) You write great verse. Looking forward to your point of view on the change of seasons.
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That fingerprint! The idea gives me the shivers! How wonderful to possess such an artefact, and to have been there when it was found.
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I found it! It was indeed a wonderful moment. The deep ploughing for a new vineyard had bought lots of stuff up to the surface.
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A lovely flow to this, and warm ending…communing with history, concretely, with gingertips, wonderful concept.
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Thank you Ain, much appreciated.
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You really got me with your ending, Kim… that’s so lovely.
-David
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Thank you David.
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Wow. Seriously? What a treasure!
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What a lovely connection
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Yes!
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….and we are left with endless curiosity about her life and loves. Fascinating story.
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Yes, we are! :)
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What an amazing item to have in your possession!
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Yes, I’m very lucky to have it.
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My wife and I are both successful fiber artists… . https://fibrationsstudio.com/ …come visit
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Oh wow! The Serenity Tokens look amazing.
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Enjoyed this. Well done.
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Thanks Bill
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Wow! To be able to touch history literally! Amazing.
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:)
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wow! so amazing! What a poem and a story! Well done Kim!
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Thank you Carol!
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