It's Still Life

Dressing for Weather

This hat is a mistake. Too tight.
It imprints knit and pearl
and cable stitch on my forehead.
But I’ll wear it; it keeps me warm.
The weather’s still edgy.
And when did I start noticing
if zippers are metal?

It seems the world’s gone plastic
but this zip is metal —
sturdy as the jacket, tough sounding
when the teeth compact, and
grind together. And my shoes are
press-and-tear-away – velcro.

I can’t remember when I last
wore proper lace-up shoes.
I just velcro or slip-on now.
And to think that I spent
so many childhood hours
learning to tie my shoes.
But I’m dressed and ready for
my morning walk to the shops.

There’s no milk for coffee,
and I’ve no cow for milk,
but the baker has hot buns.

written for Miz Quickly’s Day 29: “Instruction or Recipe or How to”