1. The Red Coat

for Rebecca

You are the red coat

‘side sable and buff coats

the cadmium-orange berry

‘side dull mountain ash cloaks

you are a writer

of songs among sonnets

you are a dreamer

of love among lovers

you are piquant wit

in my weary world

light, winsome dance

in my passive play

you are the sundog

‘side frosted white snowscapes

a far-away beacon

on still, starless seascapes

you are my red coat,

my darling my only

my scarlet, my crimson

my warm coat, my beauty