.

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…