Soul Holes

“There are various techniques for pushing the stuffing material into the empty spaces of the body and limbs. If the pattern is simple, the stuffing can be done all at once. Usually the opening is at the back or bottom of the body and the head will be stuffed first. Push the stuffing firmly up into the head area. The more stretch in the fabric, the more shaping can be accomplished. Usually the head and neck will be stuffed quite firmly. Some patterns will call for a support in the neck area such as a dowel or cardboard tube. If the stuffing is done firmly enough the support may not be needed. The material used for stuffing will almost always shift and compact over time, so that firmer initial stuffing will keep the shape longer and better.”

Soul Holes

That night you showed me
The hole in your soul
I wanted to say: “Here, take this!
Fill it up for goodness’ sake!”
Imagining the quivering outstretched palm
Wide open
Cupping soul–stuffing
Instead my hand flew
In a ridiculous Napoleonic gesture
To my chest
Under the satin lining of my coat
My fingers moved fastidiously
Shoving stuffing into tiny moth holes
To prevent them
From getting large
Like yours
It’s a funny substance, soul–stuffing
It does not transplant well
One has to spin one’s own
And so we sat
You with the wind howling through
You
And I
Wishing I knew where to begin
Wishing I could at least lend you
A thread.

Copyright Iole Damaskinos 2005