Sestina Day 50: Charity Shopping

For my half-way point post, I would like to thank Jennifer Simon who is an excellent poet, and who gave me today’s keywords. This is my love poem to charity shops, jumble sales, vintage shops etc.

Look at this gorgeous jacket: barely worn!
I’d buy it but I fear I’m not quite thin
Enough. Although it is designer sheepskin,
And just five pounds! I know you think I’m mad.
But shopping here’s a game of chance and luck.
To get the best, you simply must be prompt.

But always you ignore my fashion prompt,
While moaning that the clothes are old and worn.
You’d rather trust to brand names than to luck.
And sometimes the variety is thin
You’re always telling me I’m raving mad
For wearing clothes with someone else’s skin

Cells clinging to them. Hey, it’s only skin!
And shops like this are always very prompt
At laundering donations. I’m not mad.
There’s nothing wrong with clothes that have been worn.
Sometimes the fabric might be frayed and thin
Sometimes it looks brand new. It’s down to luck.

And in this shop I’ve had a lot of luck.
My shoes of (fake) pink crocodile skin,
My black silk dress that makes me look so thin.
My unique outfits very often prompt
Questions like “Where’s that from? I wish I’d worn
Something original!” They must be mad

These crazy fashionistas who pay mad
Amounts of money for their clothes. With luck,
I always find something that can be worn
Which won’t ride up, or irritate my skin.
But when I try things on, you’re always prompt
To say, if for some frock I am not thin

Enough. “You don’t need to be thin
In shops with lots of sizes!” – Drives me mad!
If something doesn’t fit, then that’s my prompt
To try another style, and trust to luck!
I like to feel unique in my own skin
Recycle things that other folk have worn.

If We’re not prompt, the pickings will be thin.
I know you’re worn out, and you’re getting mad
But soon, with luck, I’ll find my second skin.