Kenyon, Jane : Coats

Literature Annotations

Genre	Poem
Keywords	Death and Dying, Grief, Suffering
Summary	This short (10 line) poem presents a simple scene. A man leaves the hospital, carrying a woman's coat. "Clearly she would not need it." The weather is mild for December, but the man has zipped his coat, "preparing / for irremediable cold."
Commentary	A marvel of concentrated feeling. In a few brief words, none of which actually names a feeling, the poet evokes inconsolable loss.
Source	Constance
Publisher	Graywolf
Edition	1993
Place Published	St. Paul, Minn.
Alternate Source	Otherwise: New and Selected Poems
Alternate Publisher	Graywolf
Alternate Edition	1996
Place Published	St. Paul, Minn.
Annotated by	Coulehan, Jack
Date of Entry	11/15/95
Last Revised	08/13/96