Grandmother left me her prized possessions.
Kuspuk patterns she used to outfit herself
and her daughters in custom-made tops.
Her patterns were cut from a windbreaker,
deep maroon and old. I’ve made the pattern
pieces my own, traced them onto brown paper.
She told me how the front piece flatters a woman,
even if she’s fat. She showed me how to measure
the hood, how to press the fabric without an iron.
Her sharp eye drawn to minor flaws,
she reminded me to be precise.
Use a ruler to be exact,
like her.
