Friday, 3 March 2023

The Misfit by Elizabeth Obadina

The Misfit

(a story in haiku)

A sales gown shimmered

Hope. Promise. Belle of the Ball.

But so last season,


Finds Bargain Belle, shunned

Hov’ring, not quite fitting in

This Designer World.


Labels matter in

This crowd of shallow no-ones

Who think they’re someone.


They think they’re special

And mock as oiks, newcomers

Who flaunt bargain buys


All unknowingly.

Don’t know their Jimmy Choos from

Their Miu Mius.  Miaow …


Miaow. Poor lost Belle

Adrift in bargain glad rags

In a viper’s nest.

5 comments:

Irena Szirtes said...

Love this, the story it tells, the issues it raises and how it's told in Haiku...much more effective than a long story. I hope Belle learns to express herself with her clothes without caring one bit about what other people think! It's a journey I ve made from when I was young....one of the advantages of growing older! Go Belle !

Liz said...

Me too Irena 😱Have turned up at events totally inappropriately dressed because I bought a, usually colourful, bargain I couldn’t resist 😂

Anonymous said...

I have to say that what concerns me most is the photo of the young lady wearing a ball-gown in the middle of the dirty road -- I wouldn't like to put that in the wash. :)

I really like pieces such as this; it's always nice to read -- or hear! -- a story arranged in stanzas.

Alex

Liz said...

Actually we were passing by a Chinese fashion shoot taking place in the road with the Eiffel Tower as a background - so not a normal ball gown venue at all!!

Jennie said...

Such a clever haiku Liz, I still haven't managed one. I like the sense of disdain Belle shows for those wo are not fashion-savvy.