| In a perfect world, you would be in your | | | | unswayed. Beneath your feet, the cement |
| Mediterranean parlor, reclining on a | | | | gives way to the provocative fractals of a |
| luxuriously upholstered ottoman with a warm | | | | Moroccan tile floor; the hardened concrete |
| bowl of harira soup. At this moment, however, | | | | path appears as the luxurious hand-made |
| the rich comforts of Moroccan furniture seem | | | | Berber carpet that adorns the floor of your |
| impossibly far away. Instead you find | | | | Mediterranean parlor. And within the icy |
| yourself walking through the wet, blustery | | | | puddles, you can see the reflection of an |
| chill of a February morning at an hour so | | | | elaborately decorated Moroccan ceiling above |
| early that it still feels like yesterday. | | | | you. In this world, you may walk between the |
| Gone are the lush fabrics, bold colors, and | | | | raindrops, unscathed by the neon lights that |
| cinnamon earth tones of Moroccan decor- they | | | | buzz cynically overhead; and in their place, |
| have been replaced by the concrete reality of | | | | you see only the romantic glow of |
| the surrounding metropolis. You clutch your | | | | hand-wrought Moroccan lanterns. |
| overcoat against your chest, hoping to ward | | | | |
| away the worst of the sleet until you reach | | | | You have finally arrived at the office where |
| your first destination - the bus stop. As you | | | | you have reached countless compromises in the |
| get off the bus, you see the glowing light of | | | | past. The revolving door of the building has |
| Moroccan lanterns shining. Each step drags | | | | little to offer you in comparison to the |
| you further and further from your treasured | | | | intricately engraved entrance to your |
| Moroccan furniture. But you have planned for | | | | Mediterranean parlor. |
| this; the vision of your Mediterranean parlor | | | | |
| will sustain you throughout the day until you | | | | In Morocco, the doors are designed to welcome |
| can return to its welcoming mirth. | | | | guests, enticing them with grace and |
| | | | artistry. But here-- in the real world-- the |
| The bus is drawing near, and you wonder if | | | | doors seem to throw you out as soon as they |
| you will encounter the surly bus driver | | | | invite you in. Your body may enter here, but |
| today. With bated breath, you climb aboard | | | | your mind will remain transfixed with the |
| and-- the surly driver greets you with a | | | | exotic ambiance of Moroccan decor. |
| dismissive snort. But you aren't even there. | | | | Co-workers greet you with bowed heads and |
| The bus has already morphed into the | | | | grave countenances; and you realize that many |
| Mediterranean parlor, Moroccan lanterns are | | | | of them will live their entire lives without |
| everywhere glowing their magical flare; the | | | | ever having glimpsed the subtle beauty of |
| stiff bucket seats have been replaced by the | | | | Moroccan furniture. |
| forgiving cushion of your favorite ottoman, | | | | |
| its refined silken upholstery buffering you | | | | Entering the board room, you take your seat |
| against the onslaughts of a callous society. | | | | at an elongated table. The faces around you |
| The din of cell phones and the steady groan | | | | look bored. For them, all tables are |
| of the city melt away as you remember the | | | | rectangular-- or square. They have never |
| quiet solace found only in your own Moroccan | | | | seen a hexagonal table with fascinating |
| furniture. | | | | Moorish designs and a hand-carved facade; |
| | | | that much is clear from their expressions. |
| This is your stop. A hydraulic sigh | | | | On your own face, there is a look of total |
| accompanies your leap from the bus steps, and | | | | contentment. The Moroccan furniture has |
| you take to the sidewalk as if in a trance. | | | | pulled you through the worst of another day, |
| And still the visions of Moroccan furniture | | | | thanks to your own sense of style and taste. |
| and the shining Moroccan lanterns captivate | | | | Now you are curled up in your favorite |
| your imagination. Smoke from a nearby | | | | ottoman, sipping your bowl of harira soup. |
| ventilation pipe reminds you of a steaming | | | | Board meetings are so much better this way. |
| cup of mint tea. Furniture shop windows try | | | | And no one suspects that you aren't even |
| to lure you from your daydream with promises | | | | there. |
| of modern creature comforts, but you remain | | | | |