knitting a scarf

often you would ask her a question
about where you were
in your relationship.
she wouldn't answer. she'd sigh
then look away, or down,
or start knitting a scarf.
always a scarf. multi-colored.
you have nine of them now.
she talked with her knitting needles
and they were telling you
to stop asking questions, to
be quiet and enjoy this vacuum
of silence, the squeak of
her rocking chair. sometimes
you hardly know she's gone.