Monday 7 July 2008

Survivors' Photograph


Before MasterM and MissM went away to school
I spent an entire summer sewing labels
onto all their school uniform and home clothes.
I sewed nearly 350 labels
and it drove me to the edge of madness.

This weekend, as we unpacked MasterM's suitcases,
I realised that there were 6 pairs of socks
out of the original 10 pairs.
6 pairs of socks that had survived
the school laundry
and school changing rooms
and exceptionally untidy dormitories.

I wish I could go back in time
and tell that poor woman
sewing day and night
throughout the summer of 2003
that it was worth the effort.

Every.
Single.
Stitch.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding? He has had those socks for all that time! That is remarkable.

My son has only been here, at home, and his socks disappear at an astonishing rate.

Kitten's Lost Her Mittens said...

I love how a post about socks is poetry coming from you.

Allison said...

I agree with Kitten's comment. Sheer poetry. And oh my gosh that is TOO MUCH stitching!!! But I guess it was DEFINITELY worth it!

Mary said...

This is the hell that faces me this summer. At least it is only for one child!

Fairlie - www.feetonforeignlands.com said...

My mum did the same when I first went away to school - and the regulation cotton maroon school knickers with my name neatly stiched in the waistband? I was still (I'm slightly embarrased to say) wearing when I was at uni.

Ali said...

There are items in my wardrove, which still bear nametapes. In my maiden name. Even worse, I still wear them.

I'm sure the same will not be true for MasterM's socks.

tess said...

the socks that survived! you should put a pair somewhere safe for when he is old and famous!

dottycookie said...

Now there's a story you should sell to Cash's name tape makers ...

RW said...

My children don't go away to school but I am thinking it might be a good day to sew some labels in their hoodies and jackets....

Anonymous said...

Absolutely worth it --

Anonymous said...

That is a lot of labels! but it was well worth it! Did you send away for the labales?