
.
Embroiderer (Hilary Robinson)
after Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
.
When all this is over and Covid-Bayeux 2020/21 declared complete
I shall leave my confined space with its fine stretchered linen
and woollen threads in every shade; I shall stop working spheres
with stem stitch and couching — spheres I have observed
with their particular hues, their colour variations captured
in my sketchbook along with samples worked with crewels —
I shall leave off embellishing those beautifully terrifying spheres
with their perfectly contrasting peplomers in French knots,
bullions, beading; with sequins and metallic threads; yes,
I shall stop all of this and go to where my machine’s
been waiting this long time and thread it up with best polyester;
I’ll lower the feed dogs, set tension to five and place a hoop
of taut poplin under the 90/14 needle; press my foot
to the pedal and free motion my way out of all this.

.
The Fashionista. (Anthea Fraser-Gupta)
when all this is over
said the fashionista
I will flare again
.
I will zoom to Milan
and work the crowd
if I live
‘
my style will be viral
until I pass on
if I live
if I can
‘
crowned queen of trend
myself forever
if I live
if I can
if I want
.
but why wait at all
said the fashionista
my mask is so now
.
I hope you’re all enjoying this as much as I am. More tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow…