Welcome

By Quinn Proudler A student of self, dynamic and bold

The path in which the inner self can unfold

Prevalent in buttons, thread, and twine

A unique article of clothing to call thine.

Expressive of feeling, emotion, and individuality,

A conforming nature is truly its reality

for trends dictate what can and can’t be worn,

A societal safety, avoiding fashion scorn

From humble beginnings of warmth and life,

who would have thought something so insignificant would produce so much strife?

Horizontal and red, vertical and blue,

The problems of this article are more than a few.

And if one finds themselves in the unlucky state

Condemnation is certain, it’s already too late.

For even just one button, perhaps misplaced just one row

Will soon be common knowledge for everyone to know

And then that little mishap, innocent in being,

Becomes the defining characteristic, futile of receding

The garment holds this sublime intuition,

an ability to construct, destroy, or bring to fruition.

But the worst of its strength lies well within the mind

that is, of course, its tendency to assimilate with kind.

Designed for the person, not for the crowd,

created for oneself, to be silent while still loud.

The option of uniqueness is seemingly in sight,

If not for one detail, accessibility light

Everyone can be different, everyone can be free

But when all are individuals welcome to conformity.