GARMENT CENTER  1952

I, who had trouble

buttoning my fly,

stood in the workroom

proclaiming my ability

to expertly fold and ship

ladies’ coats and suits.

 

After all, a summer job

is a summer job, and

forty bucks a week was

a lot of money to a

16 year old from the South Bronx.

 

“Let’s see you pack this suit”,

the bald man directed. “Show me

how you like it done”, I replied.

He raised a brow but quickly demonstrated.

 

I did my best imitation, producing

a less than perfect bundle. They must

have been desperate, I was

hired to start on the spot.

 

Gerald Harris

February 16, 2015