Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas I went shopping suits, As shoes looked rat-eaten, needed also warm boots; Sales girls, in malls displayed suits in variety, Blown up cost and lean purse grew my anxiety...! Malls are looters, I thought, like the fox and sour-grapes, Have proprietors, owing greed, have become apes? In cool colors and satiny shine they sell soul, Counting cash at the cost of the poor is their goal...! Textile showrooms, as less showy, could be better, They might not put me a perpetual debtor; Varieties, there could be more, in cost less, After all, to grace all seasons I need good dress...! American Giant; Peter England; Rouje; All internationals seemed like dagger and gouge; Fashions so funny; rough and gunny; yet the cost, Summing my few notes repeatedly, I was lost...! Settling to try local stores, I slowly walked, Shops were numerous like swarms serially stocked; Each had limits in my sight; in brand or in grant, Grade low if price less and vice versa if looked grand...! Some smiled; some giggled; some, like friends made me convinced; Some, like hooker-women luring actions evinced; All these shops and show-rooms, as I narrate, not bad, Within, I know, lack of notes is what made me sad...! Street textile vendors will help me out, I believed, By such sure sincere folks I will not be deceived; With such thoughts, like an athlete I ran to each street, Challenges like pain and perspiration, I did beat...! You are late - they said, they pack up by twelve at night, On Christmas they feast; though fiscally they are tight; I went back thinking of suits within my wardrobe, Though they have many holes, they are best in whole globe...! 25 November 2022 The Night Before 3 Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Joseph May