Gray hoodie

That gray hoodie

Elbows visible through the sleeves

And the ends of the strings

Are broken from my teeth

Way back in 17

Early in the spring

When I started reading books

And studying poetry

Second period

Bell would ring

And earbuds would go in

Back when all I’d listen

To was Channel Orange, track two

Thinking bout you in a place

Where my face was covered with marks

So I’d wear that Patty hat to hide my face

And a hoodie up so I could be apart

Cuz it’s safer in the dark

I still wear it

Even with the holes

And the stains

And the marks

From the places it has been

Because just like me

Those stains make significant

Memories of the past

Cuz it was there

Long bus rides back

After sitting on the bench

Waiting for my time

And it never really came

But that was a different game

One that taught me bigger lessons

Than having a memorable last name

That coaches call when they need 7 frames

Or a closer to shut the door

Or a fastball better than 84

Washed up

I guess you could say

But washed up in a good way

Cuz my head is cleaner than before

And emotions are easier to control

Because the little things

That mattered to me before

Have become insignificant

Like dust bunnies on the floor

On a hanger

It continues to live

Even though I did

Think maybe I should give

It away, to a different kid

Who has scars on his face

And good music taste

But I kept it anyway

Because it felt good

When I put it on today

And realized all those bad memories

Have finally been replaced

By the person I have made

Myself into today.