First Friday of Advent

Read Isaiah 3:1 - 4:1

at Harrods and Nordstrom,
   the folks stand staring
        (entranced)
            in front of the windows,
    tempted by all the finery
                displayed before them;
at Nieman Marcus, at Marks and Spencer,
        all that we might ever want,
            (but, ever use?)
        draws in the crowds,
                attracted by the perfumes,
                    the jewelry,
                        the richness
            of life.

yet
if we were to wander
            diagonally
    across the avenue
and turn down the less
        traveled street,
    we would find you
    sitting in the window
            of your nondescript
        store,
    your feet working the
            pedal of the sewing machine,
as you take up a hem here,
        and let out the waist there,
    as you lengthen the pants for some,
as you shorten the sleeves for others

then handing the garments
                to us,
    you nod, 'the fitting rooms
        are in the back'
and when we come out
wearing what you have made
    (an apron for one,
            overalls for another,
    a pair of wellies that fit perfectly,
        the bandanna to mop our brows)

you send us back out
    to muck out the stable,
        and repair the manger;
    to get the guest room ready
        for the magi;
    to lay out the cheese and crackers
        for the shepherds;

to get ready for the Babe
    who will lead us.

© 2010 Thom M. Shuman