The Jacket

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 09 Aug 2018
  • 1810 reads
8 comments
 

About 1983,
my mother bought me a jacket
– bargain of the sale!
– here it is now (– hole in the pocket –
who’s to know? doesn’t show!
dilatory and slow to sew)
thirty-five years on,
still smart and comfy when I want to be tidy
(and it isn’t raining –
maybe that’s what restricted
its use, its condition protected
so long?!)

There were slacks to match,
but the mud in my patch,
where we lived at the time,
or wet wool and sweat
caused their death
quite soon
– dry-cleaning cost the earth
(I thought)
and they didn’t recover
from a wet wash-over!

[IP: Have a rummage in your wardrobe and select an item of clothing as a starting point for writing]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Amazing how long some clothes last, Rhiannon. Like you I have old jackets and trousers that I am loath to throw away as they might be useful for decorating or gardening; that's what I tellmyself, anyway.  
Your response to the I.P. reflects perfectly the situation in which many of us find ourselves.
Incidentally the jacket was the first garment that came to mind.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, I hope I haven't spoiled your idea. It was the only garment of mine that came to mind with a story, Luigi! It was a tremendous bargain at the time and a good fit, though the trousers were rather impractical, and, though it may look a bit dowdy in the photo, it is still my favourite! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Nice IP response Rhiannon. There's something so comforting about putting on a (sometimes very old) favourite piece of clothing isn't there! I have a dress my grandmother had made in the 1930s which I cadged off her at sixteen, and I still wear it today

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

… and that might make an interesting poem! Thanks, Insert. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

 I like that it makes you think of your Mum when you wear it. And that she knew you so well that you liked it and still do

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, yes, you're right it was special that she could often find things for me that were really right, - we understood each other pretty well, really. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

being a hoarder myself, I can understand your reluctance to part with the jacket. I only wish I'd held onto my afgan coat which I sadly had to sell for money.

I did hold onto my mum's cardigan which she knitted herself and never washed it as it held her scent. It now sits in a box where it will stay. 

Thanks for sharing your piece.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hi, Jenny. For once, this is something not just hoarded, in case of usefulness, but used regularly and enjoyed still, and of course would not have been sellable! Thanks. Rhiannon