I
I could get home from here
on my own, I comfort myself.
Yet no matter how near I am,
fear the public denudation.
The coat
makes it possible—
a kapote for a shy stranger
in the strange land
that is my neighborhood.
Grasping this black cloak
I throw my arm across my face
and become
invisible
invincible
II
A prayer shawl, a space
with only me and God
and no threat of the world—
that is the
black greatcoat
May your name be praised