Kimberlee K.

After getting really into poetry in the back half of last year, I decided to take a poetry class as part of my Creative Writing Certificate program for UCLA Extension.

A recent prompt encouraged us to write an ode to something, and after having to throw out my all time favorite pair of sweatpants the night prior to getting the assignment, it seemed like destiny.

So here is a poem about my sweatpants.

May they rest in peace.

—

Don’t go, I say every time

I yank open the creaky bottom drawer

shoving everything else to the side.

Unfolding the fabric, once thick

now thin as paper.

.

Don’t go, I say every time

I bundle them up on the bathroom floor

A familiar puddle of fleece

The clothing tag long cut off and

a small stain forgotten with age.

.

Don’t go, I say every time

I open the washing machine

Eyeing every button and zipper

Every heavy corner of denim

Every clasp and string that might

slice and strangle them to death

.

Don’t go, I say every time

I sit cross legged and feel

the breeze through the frayed seams

Feel the years we’ve spent together

Every packing and unpacking

The wear of the wears

.

Don’t go, I say

when I hear the rip

High pitched and desperate,

tired.

But I know their time has come.