the blue coat

it's early but you take
out your heavy coat
and lay it on the table.
it's dark blue.
you pick off some lint,
smoothing the crease
in a sleeve.
you try it on.
it still fits.
you walk around
and pretend to shiver.
buttoning it up,
turning up the collar.
you go to the window.
it's nice out.
sunny, warm.
there are bees in the bushes.
a cat
stretched out on the stoop.
the mailman wipes his brow
as he drops
junk mail through the slot.
he sees you in the window
and stares for a second
before moving on.
you take the coat off
and put it back
in the closet.
it's not time yet.
but soon.