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33

Poetry

Pockets

Amishi Shah

Give me a pretty dress with pockets
Of midnight silk with tiny, embroidered stars
So, when I arrive at a party full of strangers
I have both my hands in the folds
Arms akimbo, claiming my space in the world

Give me a pretty dress of primrose linen
As fresh as spring, with pockets big enough to house
Hope, abundance, discovery, exploration
A small notebook, two golf pencils
And many poems written at will

Give me a dressy dress, of leather & tulle
With pockets that hold my keys, my phone
My cards, lip gloss, and my sass
Leaving my hands free to tackle casual sexism
To nip it in the bud, crushing it’s every chance

Give me a wedding dress, demure in white lace
With pockets for the tissues, I’ll need them at the speeches
Or a breath mint before I kiss my groom
For dancing with abandon with my friends
With pockets for cookies, it’ll be my little secret

Give me a dress with a thousand crimson swirls
Or dainty dresses that show off towering legs
Give me old dresses, with history & mystery
But give me pockets, actual proper pockets
Or I’ll sew them myself!

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