Christmas – 1,887 Coats and Joy

                                                                                                                                                                                  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, twist, tie, toss.

5 coats to a bag, too thin? male? female? infant?

1,2,3,4,5, twist, tie, toss.

This one’s a tattered trench, this is one a brand-new pea coat, this one is niiiice

1,2,3,4,5, twist, tie, toss.

Of all days, today there is six inches of snow, rain, and sleet.

On my way here, I thought of not having a coat in such weather. 

This is one’s for an infant

I stared at the mountain of coats.  Bag upon bag at least 10 feet high

5 to a bag, male, female, infant, 38 million people living below the poverty line?

I stuffed bags with abandon. 

1,2,3,4,5 twist, tie (double knot), toss. 

When I was 10, living in Harlem, my school Principal gave toys to the kids.  He gave me a coat. 

It’s the holiday season, but more importantly it is cold.

I left the dank, dusty, poorly-lit warehouse and trekked home in the cold and driving snow.

I hardly noticed. 

I helped 1,887 people find warmth.

1,2,3,4,5 twist, tie, toss

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!