My Favorite Shirt

This is My Favorite Shirt

The color is beautiful, the print is perfect, the feel is comfy

Whenever I need to feel confident, whenever I need assurance, whenever I need to impress

This is what I wear

My Favorite Shirt

I worry, though,

How do I keep it safe?

How do I keep it clean?

How do I keep it perfect?

I don't want to damage it or lose it

I don't know who I'd be without

My Favorite Shirt

I shouldn't wear it when it's warm, my sweat might ruin it

I need to be sure to hang it up straight so it doesn't wrinkle

Should I bring extra deodorant with me?

Should I avoid putting it in my dirty clothes pile?

What do I need to do, what can I do, to make sure I never need another?

My Favorite Shirt

Oh no, a stain! I need to be more careful when I eat

I need to go wash it now before it's ruined

Wait, I can't

Last time I washed it, the color looked dimmer

And the pattern was peeling

I can't do that, not to

My Favorite Shirt

What should I do?

Do I need to hide it away from everything?

Keep it under lock and key?

How would I wear it, though?

I won't be able to feel it, hold it, embrace it, love it

My Favorite Shirt

Do other people have this same battle, or have they accepted it?

Knowing they will have a perfect shirt, a shirt they love

It will get worn, stained, cleaned, damaged, torn, appreciated, loved, embraced

Then, that time will come

The shirt is too old, too small, too damaged

Its time has come

We need to accept, grow, cry, and move on

Find a new one.

But how? I can't do that. It's

My Favorite Shirt