Two Poems by Lucille Clifton
POEM TO MY YELLOW COAT
today i mourn my coat.my old potato.my yellow mother.my horse with buttons.my rind.today she split her skinlike a snake,refusing to excuse my backfor being bigfor being oldfor reaching toward othercuffs and sleeves.she cracked like a whip andfell apart,my terrible teacher to the end;to hell with the arms you wantshe hissed,be glad when youâre coldfor the arms you have.