Coverings

Last night
I saw
on the back of Randall's

a sign
indicating
they do cabinetry and paint
wallpaper
furniture and window coverings
and other things
I noted window coverings
guessing
after a while
that this must refer to curtains
or drapes
soft furnishings
all in good taste

settled though
this point was
in my mind
I thought
for a moment
how like
clothing
wallpaper and curtains are
showing
walls and windows
to best effect
giving privacy
and yet
projecting style
eliciting respect
even admiration
on the choice
or the co-ordination
or the accents
or basic
tiebacks and pleats

so like
personality
the coverings
for windows and walls
or the clothes
we pick out
and eventually wear
for modesty
covering cleavage

or camouflage
dressing like
everybody else
to blend in

Image result for crowd wearing jeans and t-shirt

for show
leaving no curve or crevice
to the imagination

Image result for skinny girl in yoga pants

to make a statement
emo or goth
white and red and black

or quietly evoke
signalling silence
or truce

Image result for provocatively dressed women

either way

looks carry

our response

to suffering

or shame

while testifying

we carry on

regardless

of hurt

or pain,

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