One often hears it uttered
that “a stitch in time saves nine.”
And then a knowing nod ensues
implying all is fine.

But I for one have never been
a booster of that quote.
I’ve pondered exactly what it means
with a bit of a skeptical note.

First of all, what’s being stitched?
A shirt, a dress, a shin?
What works well on an old sock
might not do well with skin.

“And who is doing the stitching?”
is a question that I ask.
For a shirt a mother is fine for the job,
but a leg needs a surgeon for the task.

And exactly what is being saved?
We are saving exactly nine what?
On a coat just one stitch might do it,
on a chest it might leave a spurting cut!

And what if it’s really laughter
that’s the subject of the quotation line?
If so being “in stitches” is good.
One would want the other nine!

So the next time that you hear this quote
please remember what you've been reading.
It might have truth if you’re sewing,
but not if you’re laughing or bleeding.