The Black Garment Bag

When I was younger
You could tell the rich
and the poor by their
bags.
While shopping in the
Mall, I would watch the
ladies carry their garment
bags.
What was in those
bags I thought?
Special fabric,
secret designer dresses?
Their high heels
would clank as they
walked in speedy
fashion. They had
somewhere important
to be. Carrying
those important packages.
I would look down
at my paper bag with
disgust.
Look at me.
So poor.
You can tell by my
bag.
Working at a store
years later a young woman came
in with 2 kids.
She told me she was on
a budget and was looking
for a dress for
her husbands funeral.
You could tell she
had not much.
I worked with her
and found her
something she could
afford.
As I packaged it up
I put it in a Garment
bag.
Normally used for only
the expensive of clothes.
As I handed her the bag.
She smiled.
Her kids said, Look mommy
look at that bag.
I know babies.
Your Daddy would
be proud.
Momma bought a fancy dress.
As she walked out
of the store, she walked
different, Proud, strong.
The magic of a
Black Garment bag.