make-believe: pockets.

Because pockets just shouldn’t be hard to come by, here’s my ode to the handy compartment so often missing from women’s clothes. Here’s to needing pockets for cell phones, pockets for keys, pockets for change and for desiccating leaves. What? I couldn’t help the rhyme! Besides, I can’t be the only one around here with pockets full of leafy treasure. Whatever you fill your pockets with, I think we’ll all agree that it’s awfully nice to have them. (And in case you’re not convinced that pockets are necessary…here’s a brief history to convince you otherwise.)

A potter’s coat with pockets, to wear over…

Pants with extra-deep pockets and 

the perfect waffle-weave turtleneck.

A multi-pocketed project bag,

To fit a pocket-sized tome,

A little color for rosy cheeks and lips,

some cardamom and ginger,

And something special for replenishing your glow.

A miniature pen for jotting down spells notes.

A scarf dyed with onion skins,

A tiger’s eye cuff,

And rose quartz studs.

In case of a cold snap, the world’s warmest winter boots,

And a hat for keeping warm.

In an effort to ground all of this make-believing in something a bit more down to earth, here are a few things we might do to help folks in need, especially at the holidays.:

Give folks a warm meal: This Thanksgiving, The Bowery Mission will serve meals to thousands of hungry New Yorkers. A twenty dollar donation provides more than twelve Thanksgiving meals. Donate here.

Keep pantries stocked: City Harvest redirects excess food from supermarkets, manufacturers, restaurants, and farmers to soup kitchens and food pantries across New York City. During the holiday season, they run the city’s largest food drive, with the goal of collecting one million pounds of food. Any business, organization, or school can participate. All the details for setting up a drive, right here.

Help folks stay warm: The 29th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive launched last week. This year, the goal is to collect and distribute 125,000 coats to New Yorkers in need. Drop off coats at any designated drop-off centers, or donate directly right here. $20 provides a coat to a New Yorker in need.

In case you missed it, last year’s guide to charitable giving.