I lay my stitches down

the long version

From a cotton plantation in the deep South, to a Kentucky horse farm, to a small household in the North, the varying settings and voices depicted in these poems reflect the rich patchwork of experiences and circumstances of African Americans affected by slavery. Using the American folk tradition of quilting as a structural framework, poet Cynthia Grady weaves together spiritual, musical, and quilting references with evocative imagery to express the pain, sorrow, and weariness as well as the joy and hope sustained by those living in slavery in America. African and American textile patterns and folk art motifs in Michele Wood's vibrant paintings create a moving witness and beautiful complement to the poetry. - Jacket flap.