Straight Seam

[Verse 1]
(Sound of a phone ringing once, then voicemail beep)
Hey, Ma. It's June. It's… almost 3 AM on Swannanoa.
My proprioception's all static, the silk thread keeps fraying.
This old embroidery hoop is cold enough to burn my palm.
Feels like trying to weave with kudzu vines instead of cotton.

[Chorus]
(A different voice enters—warmer, older, slightly distant)
Hawakan mo nang mahigpit
The pattern is already in your hands

[Verse 2]
But then something… loosened. A joint clicking back into place.
For maybe twelve perfect seconds, my fingers knew what to do.
The needle went clean, didn't snag on the warp, and I heard you
saying, "Don't fight the fabric, June, just guide it home."

[Bridge]
(The second voice, clearer now, almost present in the room)
Tingnan mo, ang ganda
A perfect, straight line.

[Outro]
(A small, breathy, triumphant laugh)
Anyway. I just… I think I finally got one. A straight seam.
(Click of phone hanging up)