The Overcoat

I HAVE MY GRANDPA’S OVERCOAT
IN MY CLOSET’S CORNER IT NOW SITS
SMALL IN SIZE AND STATURE HE WAS
I’VE OUTGROWN IT, IT NO LONGER FITS

INSIDE GRANDMA EMBROIDERED HIS NAME
HE ALWAYS WORE IT WITH PRIDE
HE WORE IT TO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
THE DAY THAT HE WAS TOLD HE WOULD DIE

I REMEMBER MY GRANDMA CRYING
MY GRANDPA WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES
SINCE I WAS THEIR DRIVER THAT DAY
ALL I COULD DO WAS SOB, ASK GOD WHY

I WATCHED MY GRANDPA WASTE AWAY
MY GRANDMA NEVER LEFT HIS SIDE
WHEN HE PASSED I ASKED FOR IT
IN REMEMBRANCE, WORE IT WITH PRIDE

FOR ME IT BRINGS BACK FOND MEMORIES
SOMETHING PRECIOUS I’LL ALWAYS KEEP
I MUST BE CAREFUL WITH MY THOUGHTS
BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS MAKE ME WEEP

NOW MY GRANDPARENTS ARE BOTH GONE
MEMENTOS OF THEM I HAVE A FEW
MY GRANDMA’S GREEN DEPRESSION DISHES
A CASHMERE OVERCOAT OF CHARCOAL HUE

THEY HAVE GONE TO THEIR ETERNAL REWARD
AND FOR ME THEY NOW PATIENTLY AWAIT
I’M SURE THAT IF HE POSSIBLY COULD
HE’D BE WEARING IT AT THAT PEARLY GATE!

Friday, June 24, 2022