Sorting The Scarves – a poem by Jane Skellett to mark the end of the production

Sea-blued and river-greened
lies
a pile in the corner
curiously crumpled
When
only last week
they were:
flowing river waters
swarming caddis flies
waves in the Caribbean
shimmering water weeds

But now
They are just themselves
scarves of cloth
Until
I gather them to sort them
for the wash …

And then
a tide of smells, aromas, scents and perfumes flows
around me:
wet grass, rain and damp river air
sweet neck-sweat and nervous adrenaline
Yves St Laurent and Chanel No 5
willow withies and crumbling leaves

The memories of our autumnal show
hang woven in the threads
running through our scarves
So maybe
the washing can wait …
maybe
these comforting scents
should be allowed to linger longer …

Jane Skellett – 27.10.2021
For WCT – reflections on our show, ‘Timeless Stream’, performed at Walford Mill, 21 – 23 October 2021
with love and fond memories.