Some fraying on the sleeves
and a few buttons missing--
the only signs of age that show.

Through all the years of hard use
from harsh New England winters
to cold wars across the world
the duty-worn field jacket still holds strong.

Keeping its wearer warm
and dry.
Passed down from grandfather
to father
and finally
to son

A colorful history is worn into
the tight threads of
the military-grade fabric

Horrors seen by those
who have since passed
are woven into its sleeves.
Sacrifices for family are engraved into the
breast pockets.

Though
Secrets of those dark times are lost
at first glance 
with the missing buttons,
wicked away
by the smooth fabric faded
by years of good use.

The stories that it could tell are vibrant
but new tales are instead filed into its
worn threads.

New challenges are constantly pressing
and old is replaced with new.
Yet the same warm comfort of the jacket
remains