Three's a Charm
(Tweeted April 27, 2016 - May 13, 2016)
Have you ever heard
of this unique little store?
It opened its 3rd location
just east of our downtown core!
Google it quickly
if you are free today.
It's called the 'Arts Market'
right off Toronto's Don Valley Parkway.
If you need some ideas
of a one-of-a-kind gift
for someone really special,
that's representative,
just hop right on inside
to this Creative Central.
You'll sure to pick out something
at this city's prized Jewel.
Hello, Furry Friends!
Please come thru their door.
You are equally welcome
within their corridors.
If you are a first-timer
do take this advice.
Together with your wallet
pls bring along a stethoscope device.
You may ask us why
for you are not a doctor!?
But for a full experience
you may want to re-consider.
For as soon as you enter
immediately you'd feel a pulse.
By the colours on their walls
as you slowly walk about.
Every few feet of space
you'll detect a different rhythm.
Each heart beat is quite distinct.
And they're nothing but Awesome.
You'd hear:
Apertures Adjusting
Beauty potions Mixing
Hot kiln Crackling
Jewels Jingling
Kettles Whistling
Keyboards Typing
Knitting needles Dancing
Paint brushes Expressing
Papers & Envelopes Shuffling
Sewing machines Zinging
Scented wax Melting
Pot lids Bubbling
Thimbles Pushing
Varnishes Drying
Watering can Filling
Woodwork Sanding
Most of these showcased items
had never seen a boxed carton.
hardly even a conveyor belt
with minimal footprints of carbon.
Picture them being created
right from someone's local workshop.
A place where passions run free
behind their cosy backdrops.
If each booth besides their logos
is to place a vendor's photo,
You'd see a creative child
who'd survived our Reality of Inferno.
Look beyond their shelves
you may perceive their Echoes,
or a snapshot of their dreams
even a window to their Souls?
There're no truckloads of shipment,
neither impressive inventory.
But each of these handmade creations
reveals its master's individuality.
***********************
So that's how we were told
almost 5 summers ago:
Captain Daniel Cohen
started building himself a boat.
Why he went thru all that trouble
when he could join any vessel?
'Cus the crossing he set his sight on
there're no such tickets available!
So bravely he told himself,
'OK, might as well.
Maybe others may want to join
if they understood his rationale."
So he worked hard on his ship
day and night with sweat he dripped.
Un-diverted from his true compass
then inviting others to join his trip.
As soon as his words got out
we each heard his clarion call,
in the most unusual manner
each vendor cheerfully recalled.
Captain soon came to realize
that he had silent allies.
This journey he was calling upon,
others too, wanted it materialized.
This voyage is truly quite different
as offered by our spirited Captain.
Unlike any fare we used to see,
it marks no Fixed Destinations!
How far we want to go
depends on the courage we can show.
This is a DIY trip planner,
any dream chaser would know.
With this ticket in hand
to try out a Life Experiment.
Answering to an Inner Call,
a personal fulfillment.
Where do we stand
against retail's Litmus Paper?
What does it take
to walk near a Bunsen Burner?
Daily we titrate our abilities
and balance our equations.
As we learn from our customers
to find our magic connections.
***********************
Have you lately noticed
how stores almost look alike?
Cosmetics are on the left
and cereals are always on the right?
Every turn is just the same.
We could shop with a blindfold.
The only difference is their staff
who great us with a 'hello'.
Uniformity yields Conveniences
but not much Interesting grows.
When you have one, you lose the other.
Collective obedience is our woe?
If no 2 snowflakes look alike,
why we want to be the same, and settle?
I think we owe it to ourselves:
to be Unique should be our new Normal.
************************
This may look like a simple trip
but demands a courage of a warrior!
If you're ready to take the leap
joining the crew could be your answer.
Here to our Wonderful Vendors
on this ship we're traveling together.
Proudly we cheer each other on.
Dare to be our own Choreographers.
And to our dear Customers:
our most valued Supporter.
Thank you for believing in us.
You are our stories' Contributors.
Last but not least to our brave Leader:
thank you for the vision you inspired.
We are who we are today
as we write our new Chapters.
*************************
All the best to Everyone.
Here's where Transformation happens.
May your Dreams be Realized.
A salute to our Captain.
*************************
(This poem was inspired and written from a vendor's independent perspective during her stay at the store. A short sequel will soon to be published as an extension to this original poem.)
