Boi
Boy
I am a boy
Gorl
Girl
I am NOT a girl
Don't try to tell me what you think you know
You're wrong
You're always wrong

I was rummaging through our hall closet
Looking for my suitcase
When I saw your old winter coat had fallen to the floor
I quickly picked it up
To rehome it to its rightful hanger
When I noticed your work jacket hanging idle and still
Your name tape peeking back at me
My heart pulling at my chest
And before I could even stop myself my hands were tugging on its sleeves
My fingers feeling the all too familiar texture of that waterproof fabric
That touched my skin in our many embraces just months before
Before I could stop myself I was pulling it out of the closet
Staring at this empty jacket
Imagining your body filling it
Before I could stop myself I was burying my face in its folds
Searching for your scent
The tears were instantaneous
And before I could stop myself
I fell to the floor
Clutching this jacket as if it were anything other than a collection of buttons and threads
I couldn't stop smelling it and I didn't want to
These things are all I have left of you
And although it changes nothing I throw the hanger to the floor and slide into the sleeves,
Pulling this jacket over me
Closing my eyes to imagine for a moment that you aren't even gone at all

You know those people who always  keep us in our place
The only ones who before you loved looked into your face
Taught you right from wrong as you shed a few tears along the way
How late you could stay outside and play
Made sure most of us got what we needed
Even if our needs were a bit conceited
None the less beyond all the hard times and stress
Our family are the ones to pick up our mess