Aunt Mae Hall taught
me to pass the weft
over the warp,
weaving a pattern,

the song of generations.
to twine, twill,
choose a color scheme;
create my own shape,

to gather willow
beside Fontana River,
boil the bark;
making it soft and strong,

to correct my mistakes,
weave each row again,
preserve my mountain heritage;
to make a basket.