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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Friday, March 29, 2013

Ode To a Frayed Sweater



Each time I put it on I notice frays
The colored fibers are no longer bright
A yellow cast has taken over white
This sweater surely has seen better days

The surface yarns are full of pulls and strays
The weave’s too thin to keep me warm at night
though I’m not, so it’s grown a little tight
but in my dresser that old sweater stays

For it gives me a warmth that I can’t buy
that I can't purchase new at any store
It’s thick with memories woven in the ply
so I just love that sweater even more

To some things we must hold on tight and true
They cannot be replaced with something new.

submitted for Form For All, The Librarian, the Poet, and the Snowblower (Miltonian Sonnets), at dVerse Poets Pub

18 comments:

Mary said...

I enjoyed this, probably because I can empathize. I have a lot of clothes that have sentimental value to me too....and I will have them forever, as I am sure you will have your sweater. Smiles.

Anonymous said...

So true,so true. A good old sweater is like comfort food.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely brilliant. Down to earth and a fantastic metaphor. Deep philosophy conveyed with self-deprecating fun humor and perfect rhyme and rhythm.

I even think Milton would approve!
Thank you for a fine reading today.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. i have an old shirt like this...its in rough shape for sure but the comfort of it...the history that it carries...there are somethings that we do have to hold onto...progress will push us to move on from it but we have to resist...

Claudia said...

ah so true...i have a cardigan that almost falls apart and really doesn't look so nice any more but it feels just like it belongs to me and i feel so at home in it....smiles

Scarlet said...

Love the ode to a frayed sweater and beautiful work on the form ~ I have my old clothes, still good for wearing on some days ~ Smiles

brudberg said...

I really like this... despite all the new things we might buy there is a frayed sweater in every wardrobe.. great work on the form

Beth Winter said...

Fabulous! I relate completely. Clever and well crafted :)

Semaphore said...

Oh such a wonderful poem to wrap yourself in, warm as a remembered summer day, full of dreams and memories!

hyperCRYPTICal said...

I too can relate to your fine words - a cuddly cardigan thick with memories.

Lovely write Lolamouse.

Anna :o]

Kathy Reed said...

Nice sonnet about a favorite old sweater (could be hat or shoes or scarf)...I know the feeling ;)

marousia said...

Oh, I love old sweaters too and the stories they hold

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, the sweater that can't be thrown away. I have my "Glastonbury" jumper with stripes of bright primary colours. It's hardly elegant and too warm for where I live now, but I can't part with it. Nice sonnet.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Your old sweater reminds me of a favourite cuddle rug that youngsters like to drag around with them! It becomes worn from trailing through all manner of floor level features, foods, dribbles and still it is loved! Like a lesson to us all to treasure what has stood by us through the rough and smoothe! Lovely poem!

Dave King said...

superb, and so true. A delightful read.

Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene) said...

echo, echo, echo what everyone said.

Recently I was attempting to purge my closet of those memory laden hippie nehru shirts and bell bottom pants, Saturday night fever open chested shirts, etc. ( boo hoo) Did it.

I feel new!!! :-)

Fireblossom said...

It's so true. I have a sweater like that, and it can't be replaced!

Lolamouse said...

nene,
I want a photo! The 70s (disco) was a most embarrassing decade!