Today the first flower on this snowflake gardenia opened.
I picture myself attaching it to the lapel of his jacket.
The jacket which he had bought the last day I saw him.
He drove me to the railway station that evening last summer.
When we had embraced and I was about to go to my train he asked me to wait.
He had something to show me.
He opened the car trunk and put on a black cotton surplus jacket.
It had chevrons on the sleeves.
I told him that I liked it.
Did I also tell him – or am I just imagining – that I many years ago bought a similar jacket?
A jacket that made me feel more brave when I needed to.
I’m not sure that I told him anything about it.

 

A dream today:
I am digging in the garden for some reason.
I coincidentally unearth an old wristwatch of mine.
It’s wrapped up in earth and roots.
I must have lost it ages ago.
I hardly recognize it.
Did I ever have a watch with a black steel wristband?
I leave it on the ground and mother comes to see it.
Suddenly it emits a loud alarm signal.
I wake up.