The Shirt

When you sat down
To sew my torn shirt
With needle, thread and
A forgotten love song,
You pricked a finger and
I realised,
You bleed too.

On days,
When I wear that shirt
I wear my gray coat to hide
A red secret.
__________

On Grandmother's birthday.

Amidst the party hats and presents
Wrapped in garish colors
From the remains of family and friends
She cut the lovely chocolate cake
She wasn’t allowed to eat.
Yet nothing was left
For the fridge.

They sat her in the corner
So she’d have a view
Of all the song and dance,
And when it was all over
Wished her goodnight and a long life
In one breath
And left her to clean up the mess.
__________________________