Old Coats: Explorations in the Cedar Closet - 1. Old Coats

I packed it

for Carolina downpours,

to warm chilly California evenings,

and for midsummer strolls down Stockholm’s twilit streets;

it always returned a bit more frayed,

to rest before its next

adventure.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

In the woods

its wool plaid keeps me warm,

yet camouflages me in the fall

against the maple saplings and deer-browsed hemlocks,

and in its pockets are coins, pencils

matches and evidence

of my dad.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The clouds break

and the bright haloed moon

reflects off my maroon windbreaker,

its white trim flashing like the tails of startled deer

which emerge like ghosts from the thicket

to feed in the fields and

disappear.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I can’t count

how many funerals

that hand-me-down raincoat has witnessed,

but untold tears have streaked and dyed it grey with grief

and filled tattered pockets with tissues

more eloquent than mere

epitaphs.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Old leather,

creased, yet warm and supple,

heard ten thousand engines grind and cough,

listened to them wake and learn to sing in chorus,

pledging to break free of this green earth

and soar unfettered skies

until death.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The hood leaks

where it meets the collar

and long use cracked the rubberized shell

Guaranteed to keep out the worst possible rainstorm;

no playing field mud mars its deep green,

but it knew how to play

in its day.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I received

a new rainproof jacket

amongst the presents under the tree

as a replacement for my spattered and torn coat

which, though shabby, still remains alive

with bright orange autumn

memories.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

He lingers

inside my red parka

trapped in its folds by an embrace

sincere and heartfelt even though we had to rush;

I let it hang all spring and summer,

but December still smelled

of kisses.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Bought third hand

at the AmVets thrift store,

tailored in heavyweight Harris Tweed,

it reigns resplendent over the winter wardrobe

with cut and color and perfect fit

unmatched by mail-order

impostors.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

He gave me

that long waxed cotton coat

because he could not take it with him

into his new place and employment adventure;

he loved its feel and warmth in winter,

but it was too much

to carry.