A Forever Coat

Her favourite coat, forever hangs in my wardrobe

Unmistakably I feel the coat’s presence

Every-time I open the wardrobe door

I instinctively turn to see her family heirloom

A gift that’s been handed down from her grandmother

However, the gift she wasn’t able to wear when the sickness begun.

Not once, over the next thirty years, of frailty and fears

Time is now a broken clock face

Seven years ago, she did pass

And her favourite coat I keep, my piece of memorabilia

I do know, she’s not going to reappear

For me to gently and warmly cover her tender shoulder

Consciously I’m not sure, why the coat remains

I’ve tried to give the coat away

To a homely charity, and even a local actor’s group

Fortuitously her coat has not been accepted

Here in the wardrobe, the glorious old coat stays

Along with the other trinkets of her forever spirit

 

 

https://youtu.be/ZEffeabMeEE

Ivor Steven (c)  2019

 

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ivor20

G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer. I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.

79 thoughts on “A Forever Coat”

      1. It gives me so much happiness to read about such strong and eternal love in these times when love is losing its meaning.

        Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s pretty special. Is it in good condition? Fur coats tend to shed over time – they need a bit of maintenance.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. The extreme hot 5 days affected me, but I’m back doing my walking and exercises, although still tired, every thing is fine. I’m going to my rehab centre twice a week as well, and that continues until I get on the plane …..

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Thank you Gina, I sometimes wonder at myself, and where the words come from. I received a lovely message, from a WP friend, Paul, a few days ago, and his assessment of my writings, might have some credence.
        Paul Sunstone says:
        March 1, 2019 at 11:28 am Edit
        I just now had an epiphany, Ivor. You’re a master of suspense. I should have noticed it before, but you have a real knack for creating anticipation in your readers. At least in me, that is. You’re so good at it, I bet you do it instinctively. The best skills, I think, are things we learn so well, we do them as if by instinct.
        At any rate, it carries me through your poems. It pulls me along effortlessly on my part. I never need make myself read the next line.
        I have learned something from a master tonight. It is mine now. Mine to screw it up!
        I’ve been meaning to tell you, Ivor. I cycle through about 120 blogs a month, most of them poetry blogs. In my myopic but honest opinion, yours is one of the very best.

        Liked by 3 people

  7. Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get—only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.

    Katharine Hepburn

    I have kept my sister’s shirt and I try to smell her scent, to feel again that it is near me, but in vain…..

    The people we loved and we still love live in our soul Ιvor!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. The coat my husband wore to our wedding hangs next to my wedding dress in my closet. I feel there presence every time I open the door also. I am right there with you Ivor! Your hand is in mine.

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. This is lovely, Mum has a picture of her with Dad which she kisses and says goodnight to each night. Dad would have called it nonsense but she does it anyway. I seem to remember her losing patience with his snoring and giving him the occasional sharp nudge, which he would complain about loudly but these are all things I am sure my mother misses very much. I am sure she would give anything to hear him snore again.

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. Tears are flowing.
    What a beautiful tribute to Carole and the special coat!
    I think it’s important to keep some-things of those who have passed ahead of us. The items can keep our memories alive and our senses stirred…make us smile and feel less lonely. 🙂
    (((HUGS)))

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Yes Carolyn all of those wonderful things, and I’m here smiling to myself… my poem has deeply touched every one today, we have all been in the same situation,,,, I’m pleased my words were good enough to convey those emotions

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. I recently sent the last of Graham’s clothes to the charity shop. I realised I didn’t need to to hang on to his clothes to remember him. It still felt wrong though.
    The reason Carole’s fur was rejected is because it’s animal fur, and no longer acceptable in civilised countries, it’s nothing to do with fashion. Animal rights groups would soon have something to say if charity shops attempted to sell such a thing.

    Until the eighties fur coats were still fashionable and none of us gave a thought about the animals concerned, I used to have a beautiful silver fox jacket.

    Liked by 3 people

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  14. THAT is a fabulous picture of Carole in her coat. It reminds me of my friend. Her mother left her a fur coat. My friend could not wear it but wanted to keep the coat because of her mother and the nostalgia. She found a woman who turns fur coats into teddy bears. She now has a teddy bear, named after her mother, that she can enjoy every day.

    It seems this coat is meant to be with you Ivor.

    Liked by 4 people

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  17. There are a few things that are meant to be kept, however hard it is to look upon them. But there are happy moments too when that coat made an appearance 😊

    Liked by 2 people

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