Haberdashery

gingham stitched brocade dreams,
embroidered floral could have beens,
ached for silken whispers,
yearned for velveteen,

breathless with want,
busy fingers worked damask,

but dashing plaid left gingham sad,
checks and stripes would never be had,
no organza, paisley or georgette
a corduroy life ahead,

burlap, buckram, calico lengths
cambric, linen, felt and flannel fare
stab stitched, rag trade, dusty suede
hand made,
couturier
bias bound

jacquard loomed
satin backed crepe,
folded
shiny side in,
worsted,

pattern laid out, played out,
splayed out, pinned
darn thread, shreds,
swatch and patches,
seamstress mistress, distress
beige – cream – caramel
camel, mohair, polyester,
stretch and test her,
fasten, fray and fringe,
pinking shear her,
overlocked, zig zagged,
zipped up, stitched up,
buttoned down
pressed flat, press stud,
French seam,
obscene
oddment,
remnant, notion,
selvedge, salvaged,
rent

god damn haberdashery
and plaid