James Stinson

My Funeral Coat

My funeral coat

Is long and heavy

And hangs from my shoulders

Weighing me down

Like a penance

When l lift it from the closet

I am always filled

With a terrible sadness

It is not a happy coat

This coat

In spite of its weight

Is not a warm coat

Although it should be

Yet it rests on my back

Like a marble tombstone

Many graves have been visited with this coat

It has shone many pews

Over the years

Accomplishing both it would appear

With aplomb and far too frequently

Than l would choose

Bread crumbs

Cake crumbs 

Flakes from sausage rolls

Have settled on this coat

A veritable tray

It has suffered tears smiles and laughter

Usually in that order

Been offered sound advice

Nonsense and downright lies

Then walked back home

It is not a taxi coat

To hang in the darkness

Like a big black Bird of doom

Sadly

Today

It is time again

To bring out my funeral coat

It is not a happy coat

This is not a happy day