Dad’s Wool Shirt
Looks pretty ragged,
left cuff will not stay
buttoned. Both sleeves
have holes at the elbows.
A front button is missing.
Wool plaid–greys, maroons, navy blues.
It was my Dad’s but fits me well.
It is the warmest shirt I own;
must be at least twenty by now.
Gets me through our winters.
Another is gold and brown
but it has shrunk and no longer fits.
The one in black and blue has elbow
patches that were the rage way back when.
These shirts don’t feel as warm.
The ragged shirt hangs in the closet.
It hasn’t been cold enough to wear it lately.
Can’t bring myself to throw it out.
I’ll leave it be; might get cold
enough to wear it.
Avalon Literary Review
Winter 2021
