Felted Booties

Nomadic Mongolians’ livelihood, and affluence
In the balance of storm and drought.

Amongst the steppes, and plains of the Bayan-Gobi
Frigid Siberian winds bear snow in early September.

Cool breezes stir urgency preparing for winter camp.
Robust women toil about the ger, while men tend to animals on horseback.

The herd is ushered in a hazy stampede.
A mass of goats with blue horns, and a solitary sheep.

The woman moves swiftly, adorned in blue silk.
Clenched teeth, jutted jaw straddling her prize.

For a moment it squirms, writhing beneath her.
Transformed; no longer thick and white, but pink and scrawny.

Wool carefully placed like patchwork
Across a heavy tarp, then bound like rolling tobacco.

Ropes then fastened to cylindrical ends,
And harnessed to the backs of wooden saddles.

Small horses uneasy as the package follows them
Back and forth across the arid plains.

Felting sheep wool for insulating gers
Thick warm hats, and children’s booties.

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