Leather Jacket
by A.J. Smith
As with all stories start,
once upon a time,
In autumn, when the sun
rose cold and the days stayed warm.
I'd brought my jacket to school,
and shoved it in my locker.
It stayed there,
forgotten.
But it was still cold at home,
when taking walks at night,
to watch to beautiful stars
so peaceful in the sky.
Breath turning white
in air.
I'd wear my Dad's jacket,
a cozy, sleek brown leather.
Smooth against a touch.
And then I'd walk beneath
the stars.
And found myself walking
with a girl somehow.
Her eyes were deep as
We spoke of stars and skies and love,
talked the night away.
She said so many things
that only dreams should hear.
and we came upon a bridge,
the water lover's mirror.
I took off Daddy's jacket,
and placed it round
her back.
We stayed there so much longer,
till just before sunrise,
we talked and kissed
and promised, and that was when she cried
She said she had to leave, within a day or two,
that her parents had a place
all ready just for her.
She'd wished she met me sooner,
and than gave me her phone number,
to call her at the new home.
And than she left,
and gave me Daddy's jacket,
and the paper with her number.
I put the number in the pocket,
of the leather jacket.
The next night we met again,
at that bridge of dreams,
She once more wore the jacket
and leaned against me sadly.
Tomorrow morning she would leave,
and it was once more nearing day,
so I said farewell, and let her keep
the jacket.
But I would get it back,
that's why I had her number.
5/19/2003