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i am bossy

The Pale Grey Coat. A Holiday Poem

Bossy walked through her house
And she saw nothing odd
Just dog hair and dust
Collecting! Oh gahhhh‘d

She was deep in her thoughts
When, suddenly, she spied it
She saw the pale grey ski coat
With nobody inside it

coat-magazine

She wasn’t scared. But yet, she stopped
Why would a coat be there?
Why would the coat of Bossy’s son
Be sitting in the chair?

And then it moved
That empty coat
It flipped the magazine
The coat was resting near the fire
It was really quite serene

“Why are you here?”
Old Bossy said,
“And not in New York City?
Lord knows you’d warm dear Bossy’s son
Even though you’re not that pretty.”

Just then the pale grey ski coat
Threw down the Martha Stewart
It swished past Bossy in a huff
On its way to find support

coat-dane

The coat, it snuggled with the Dane
In the cluttered family room
It seemed depressed, that pale grey coat
One pound of down-filled gloom

“How ‘bout TV?” Bossy suggested
“You can watch your favorite show.
Barefoot Contessa is almost on!”
But the coat shook itself no

coat-TV

“How ‘bout a romp on Bossy’s site?
Last post is mighty clever!”
But the pale grey coat slumped in its chair
Not cheery whatsoever

coat-computer

Bossy thought fresh air would do it good
So she tossed keys to her car
But the coat can’t drive a stick
So, alas, it didn’t go far

coat-car

“That’s OK,” Bossy said, “Remember the swing?
You spent many a day and a night there!”
But the allure was gone on that old plank of wood
Without a warm body to share

coat-swing2

So the coat, it propelled, up to the porch,
Grabbed a chair for a sun-drenched sit
But the scene was too quiet for a pale grey coat
With nobody inside it

coat-porch

Bossy thought, “I do not fear this coat,
With nobody inside it. This coat, it doesn’t make me sad.”
She thought that, but she lied it

Because Bossy couldn’t see this coat
Without thinking of her son
And the many years he had this on
While setting off toward fun

“Bossy thinks she knows why you are blue,”
Bossy whispered to the coat
“You miss your boy, and so do we,
We’re rocking the same boat.”

And then a strange thing happened
Why, that coat began to laugh!
Of course it didn’t really,
But Bossy did on its behalf

And then she put her arm around
That nylon stuffed with feathers
And said, “What if Bossy puts you on
Throughout this winter weather?”

Well, ski coat was so happy that
The pale began to shine
And it pounded on those pads with sticks
Like its boy did for drum line

coat-quints

And that night it rested soundly
In the bed of Bossy’s son
‘Cause of course it’s not a pea coat
And its status was hard won

coat-bed

Now Bossy and the coat meet daily
Behind the closet door
Where she’ll throw it over shoulders
So the two can bond some more

bossys-coat1

bossys-coat2

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. awww! When my big Brother went off to college I used to sleep in his room when I was lonely. I see myself wearing my kiddos’ coats when they are in college too!

    Reply

  9. And Olivia has a bear or two
    From her own kiddies’ youth.
    They snuggle on Old Livvy’s bed
    Though Livvy’s long in the tooth.

    One’s named Bob and one’s named Walt,
    George is yet to come.
    For now he’s packed in some dark box
    In the possession of youngest son.

    Ah yes, when fledglings fly the nest
    It’s hard on Mama birds.
    But someday they’ll come home to visit
    bringing grandkids by the herds.

    Reply

  11. This reminds me of a photo shoot my father took of my teddy bear, Augie, while I was studying in Spain. My sentimental father sent me a care package for Valentine’s Day with a pictorial of Augie’s recent days. Augie was at the computer emailing me, watching Ally McBeal, driving my rusty Saab, and pointing to me on a globe. Boy, did my mother have her work cut out for her to convince me that a 21-year-old college girl did not need to travel abroad with a teddy bear.

    Reply

  22. I love seeing photos of your house. It’s so cute and I love all the little design elements. I especially love the twinkle lights and the blue color in the back of your bookcases. Oh, and I like your dining room table, too. I also love the photos you posted of your moms kitchen.

    Reply

  23. Ah, Bossy! I hope your surgery was successful and that you are well on the way to a complete healing!
    This post brought tears to my eyes when you first published it during your son’s freshman year . . . ’cause my son was also far away for the first time. I can’t believe they are now juniors! My guy finished exams this afternoon, and is probably somewhere, finally celebrating his 21st Birthday, which was Friday. Thanks for posting this post again . . .it brought me a smile and a tear. The boys will be home soon.
    Take care, p.j.

    Reply

  24. Funny, #11, my mom cried when I wasn’t going to take my big stuffed turtle on my study abroad. She won and I brought it. God love sentimental parents! I hope your son comes home soon, Bossy!

    Reply

  28. This poem and the pics totally made my day. Thank you! I am envious of your creativity and think I need to flex my mental muscles now.

    Reply

  29. This made me teary eyed. My oldest comes home next week, and his coat has been laid out on his bed since he left in November. I pass it every morning and count the days.

    Reply

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