My Fathers Jacket

today would have been my Fathers 87th birthday

My Fathers Jacket

 

Here you are again she said

Retrieved from the pile

Reserved for charity shop donations

 

For that is where she found me

Wearing my father’s old baggy jacket

Is that so strange tho I ask

 

Even now the taste and the very

Scent of him is dear to me

This is where his essence lingers yet

 

This is where I feel and hear him sometimes

As my body warms the fibres

Safe in these old Tweed threads of his

 

Here in these so very hugged

And well worn sleeves I ache hungrily

Then cry as a child might cry

 

Unashamedly and with so many

 Unpunctuated sobs

Then as both hands are well and truly lost

 

In deep side pockets

A long forgotten handkerchief

Surfaces to light and usefulness again

 

Wiping tears with fingertips I find myself

Wondering how many wishes were once

Held fast in that single knot

 

Tied by his own hand near the corner

Next to the blue silk of his monogram

Where I still sense him near

 

 

  

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

And you reckon you are a hard man? Pull the other one. Hard men don't write beautiful poetry, cling to the memory and essence of their Father or shed tears for their deep loss. I relate so much to these lines. After my Dad died when I visited my Mum I wore my Dad's dressing gown, which was left hanging on a hook.in the bedroom.. I would hold it close and breathe in because it brought him closer to me. I could smell him and that brought me great comfort.. I love this poem it reminds me of my Dad and my actions on his death. This southern softie approves very much of these nostalgic lines Neville.

Chris

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Exactly Chris! Nev. is a big ole wild beating heart! He is squishy and warm and WONDERFUL!

[Chris Shaw]

How could I disagree CQ. You've got Neville summed up to perfection :)

[Neville]

I am delighted that these these words have been given such a seal of approval.. I truly am grateful to both of ya.. N

[John the Baptist]

This is a deeply moving offering that shows how close to the surface grief can remain, even when we are not aware of it. In a time when so many seem to have bitterness toward parents, the speaker in this poem is brought to tears simply by wearing one of his deceased father's old jackets. The last two lines are particularly moving. That he can still feel such emotion is a sign his father is not truly lost if he can still evoke such recollections. Well done.

[Neville]

you are indeed most kind.. and I thank you for it...yes, it still stings... Neville

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

loved this so much i can relate to this.
Having lost both parents and grandfather and other family members like we all do eventually.
I liked how you had to go and retrieve it from the charity shop, so nice.
sweet poem. I wrote one similar back in sept and I love anything about old memories, old things, old forgotten hankies. great work x

[Neville]

I really am most grateful to you for visiting, considering and commenting so encouragingly on these words of mine.. Neville x

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

your feelings were conveyed well, happy xmas and new year x

[Neville]

many, many thank you's my friend and a happy xmas & new year to you too x

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Someone is feeling nostalgic today! You ve got me puttin on the oldies...makin them pull pack the shades, opening the windows and letting the memories flow freely.

[Neville]

it seems I done good then..play em loud and enjoy them moments