Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Because.....

Not much to explain about this essay, except to acknowledge that some explanation would probably help. I wrote this a few months ago, obviously blending shopping and life into some else all together!
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.....Because I know the most about this, I have to be the one to fold it over and inside out so it still looks and feels like the same soft sweater that fits in every nip and tuck but the trying on and taking off stops for once and all. It’s too late to side step the price tag-- embedded charges with accumulating interest—but still, I wouldn’t change the cost even if I could, which I can’t .
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There are certain steps that must be taken today. There is no return-of-goods counter—just a “you buy it, you own it” policy with fine print I didn’t read then and don’t want to read now. I know I must hem the predestined pleats and complicated seams, iron out past and future wrinkles caused by sitting still too long, air out the fabric so it remains pure and air fresh. Meanwhile, even though I’m dressed to the hilt, I’ll still carry those sticks near and far, carry them because I freely picked them up to begin with, and I will never fail to hold onto even the smallest branch. I’ll be taking one step after another on my way to town, even though the one-day- all-out tag sale is for naught.
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If destiny has another plan, I’ll be there, waiting first in line for the doors to open. But there is no special sale on this day. There is no discount or resizing that can make this anything other than what it is. It is not that. It is only this. And what it is is so inestimable I will spend the better part of my life on the budget plan, making regular payments into an account where withdrawals will be scarce, but worth every penny. I can purchase only what I have paid for, and I can take home only certain sizes even if they’re wrong for the circumstance. I came here freely and knowingly. I knew then there was no warranty, but the fit was so exquisitely perfect I made a deal with destiny. I would carry the sticks and accept the conditions in exchange for the moments when the fit came straight from God’s designer.
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Meanwhile, under a canopy of shining stars, we dance and then we linger. And then, always once more, we are free.

14 comments:

  1. KJ, that is haunting and beautiful. I hope the price tag was not too high.

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  2. You have gone all spooky KJ! Woe ....

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  3. I don't know exactly what you mean. I will read it another time again.

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  4. thank you debra kay. haunting is probably a good word here!

    anon, spooky and woeful....i hope there's some silliness buried under all that.

    wieneke, thanks for stopping by. i know this is a little strange... :)

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  5. Magical making with the metaphors, fits you like a glove.

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  6. gotta love those metaphors, rm!

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  7. There are no guarantees with life, love or anything truly worthwhile KJ ;)

    Enchanting post.

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  8. I especially like those last two lines ... Good work, KJ! :)

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  9. Ah life and shopping - how exciting. You can always get something you want but at a cost. Of course it’s always good to pay for everything cash or in full when the bill comes. Then you take it home and it starts to show wear and tear or you outgrow it, you know, you can always have a garage sale, donate it to charity, reengineer it or recycle it.

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  10. I'm going shopping tomorrow. I need two suits and a new pair of black shoes. And a sweater, really.
    I'm hating it already :-)

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  11. You have won a 'You Make My Day' Award KJ!

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  12. Beautiful words. The last lines are sheer poetry1

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  13. psssst, guess what? you've received a "you make my day" award ... :) Go check the forge!

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  14. KJ, I have an award for you too.

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