Black Shawl
Black shawl
Crocheted, finely fringed
Like a lampshade
Wayward, lucid bristles
Poncho-patterned wrap
Thrift store treasure
Matching velvet bowler hat
Edge-flocked faux fur
Accessory pair to turn heads
Crocheted, finely fringed
Like a lampshade
Wayward, lucid bristles
Poncho-patterned wrap
Thrift store treasure
Matching velvet bowler hat
Edge-flocked faux fur
Accessory pair to turn heads
Found in your closet
After the funeral
I gave them new life
After the funeral
I gave them new life
Every Christmas, I wear them
With your favorite color – red
With your favorite color – red
And every Christmas, Dad gets a sparkle
In his one good eye
“Nice shawl. Where’d you get that?”
In his one good eye
“Nice shawl. Where’d you get that?”
“It was hers,” I always say.
Then both his eyes glisten,
Like a melting snowman,
remembering
That fateful Christmas Eve
When you spoke your last words.
Then both his eyes glisten,
Like a melting snowman,
remembering
That fateful Christmas Eve
When you spoke your last words.
-Kim Johnson
Common Threads 