Meggy Kawsek

Ode to Ratty Old Tshirt

Oh ratty old tshirt

I can no longer keep,

you had always been there

when I needed good sleep.

When I came back from school,

or a hard day at work,

you were the most comfortable:

my choice of sleep shirts.

My mother, I know

used you well in her day,

she was in high school then

and used you to play.

She kept you until

she was pregnant with me

and didn’t stop wearing you

until I was three.

And when I was twelve

I found you inside

the closet I shared

with my sister, I tried

to sleep with you once

and that once was enough,

I remember thinking

“It’s like sleeping in fluff!”

Yours was the softest

cotton I’d ever worn

the most sensual fabric

better than porn!

I was happy I found you

in my closet that day

but after ten years

mom said “Throw it away!

I’ve had that old rag

for too many years!

It’s ripping and tearing!

Meggy, I fear

that shirt’s much too used

to be used anymore.”

But I’d patch you so that

you’d survive a night more.

But now I can see

that our time cannot last.

There are holes in your shoulders

that I cannot look past,

and I’d wonder each night

until when can you last.

I love you, you old

ratty tshirt of mine.

And I know that tomorrow

I’d surely pine

to feel the best cotton

my body has felt.

Because whenever I wear you,

my dreams simply melt.

I feel safe and warm

in the folds of your thread

you always guaranteed

a good dream in my bed.

Oh ratty tshirt,

you’re simply too old.

You get harder to wash

and harder to fold.

But I thank you so much

you old tshirt of mine

for the wonderful sleep

and the wonderful time.

And I hope that one day

my child will find you, and then

she’ll fall in love with you

all over again,

and she’ll patch your old holes

and your loose, broken ends

and would defend you from

the laughs of her friends.

Tomorrow I’ll put you

in a box that I’ll store.

But I’ll wear you to sleep,

just for now, just once more.