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Rainbow Treasures
by Preet Kaur Cox
I walked into a sweet shop of fabric.
I stared in awe and wonder as assortments of every pattern, motif and colour danced around the room ready to be picked.
The smell of silk fluttered through the air and floated in between the rolls which spun so exquisitely.
The chatter, laughter and haggling bellowed through the counters.
It was as if the whole world was there.
I marvelled at the masterpieces, at the perfection of the needlework,
at every stitch, every gemstone and sequin,
at every turn, there was a sweet surprise.
I looked around in delight at the rainbow rolls.
As sparkles caught the corner of my eyes,
I couldn’t help but wonder how each one had a story to tell.
The sharp etching made by the scissors and the rustling of bags buzzed around my ears.
A tap on the shoulder and the tinkle of the bell was a cue for me to leave for the next exciting treat.
Holding mum’s warm hand, she peeled me away from the paisley design.
I looked on in wonderment at the treasures and the stories each one would go on to tell.
About the poem
This poem is a recollection of one of my early childhood memories visiting Southall Broadway in West London with my Mum, Auntie and family. It has been written through the eyes of my younger self as I reminisce my childhood.
During these frequent trips, one of the stops included visiting the local fabric stores to purchase beautifully decorative fabrics which would be gifted or made into Punjabi garments called ‘suits’.
It always fascinated me on how people from all walks of life visited these shops and how fabric brought people together. I would often wonder who had made them, the journeys the fabrics had taken, and where they would go once they had been purchased. What would become of them? Who would wear them and for what occasion? Perhaps a wedding or a birthday or as a gift? Each piece of fabric had a story to tell.
These colourful fabrics leave me with happy memories which are treasures I will cherish forever. They have helped forge my love for vibrancy in colour, design, pattern as well as community.
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