Pockets In The Closet Poem by Edwina Reizer

She straightened all the clothes he wore
and fingered every shirt.
As she left the closet's space
she still could feel the hurt.
She'd done this thing for many years.
The shirts were stained from tears.

Each and every collar she buttoned with care
and the pockets she would touch.
This night time ritual became for her
an act that meant so much.

It allowed her to sleep peacefully
for it had become her way
of remembering how he looked so fine
when he'd dressed on every day.

One night the closet bulb burned out.
She left to find another one.
She came back holding a flashlight
which for her became the sun.

One of the pockets she touched this night
seemed a little out of place.
Inside it she found a piece of paper
where he'd drawn a smiley face.

Underneath the face he'd written
Thank You and she knew.
It was his way of remembering her.
And saying 'I love you.'