It hung there, limply, in the closet
A symbol of submission, conformity, pathos
So boring
And she wore it without apology
She was the one to
take charge
make the schedules
mark the items off the list
plan the meals
iron the napkins
order our days and nights
create a soft cocoon of routine around our chaotic existence
Insist insist insist
on the right thing always
She was the one who was
sensible
moderate
calm
She wore a navy blue cardigan
and sensible shoes
and a little touch of jewelry
not too flashy
But you thought her hopeless, pathetic
lacking in imagination
controlling
And you railed against convention and tradition
lists and plans
schedules
You spun off into your own irregular orbit
Till one day you woke up and realized
that Monday is your laundry day too
And Friday IS the best day for grocery shopping
And you have traded your edgy, black, modern wardrobe
for clothes that are a little softer, a little looser
Navy goes with everything too, and it’s more flattering to your diminished appearance
So you slide the cardigan on one arm at a time
And it fits.