These are clothes of solace

If only
Her jumper was too loose,
Worn out at the elbows,
From leaning on the table
Head in the hands,
Daydreaming through the window
About a life of “if onlys.”
–
His jeans were too tight,
Threadbare backside
Sitting at the same table,
Uncomfortably restricted
The same chair in the same place,
Away from his “if onlys!”
–
Garments in poor repair,
faded over many years,
The attractive designs
Now only memories
glimpses of the original pattern,
Struggle against the “if onlys!”
–
But they cannot be thrown away,
Despite the faults and flaws…
For these are their comfortable clothes,
These are clothes of solace,
Fearing to discard such familiar touches,
For the want of “if only?”
Craig Slater
05/06/2014
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