Greatcoats

Doughboy greatcoats

Hang on circular chrome 

Rack in thrift shop,

A platoon of heavy wool,

Tone of acidy mire,

With "stand and fall' collars

Surely tight around a young man's

Neck.

I move my hands through coats,

The swivel-hooks clang and clang

As garments arc shiny meridian;

I imagine world from above,

And from the side of my eye,

And from a southern pole,

See young men's souls

Housed by true tents

Of rough weave.

Some believe ringing a bell

Clears spirits,

Here ringing makes presence

Imminent,

Here ringing is a marker of pause.

I envision a foot soldier

By thrift store door,

He wears greatcoat

All buttoned up;

The collar rigid 'round his neck

Like grim petals.

Laura Stickney 2026

Notes:

Doughboy--American infantry soldier in WW1.

Greatcoats--A large, double-breasted overcoat 

issued to soldiers in WW1.

mire--Deep heavy mud

meridian--A great circle on earth's surface 

running pole to pole.

photo--Antique postcard image of anonymous

WW1 soldier  c. 1917.