Before the Lecture

The jacket, unlined, loose at the shoulder. Two winters in it. An oxford a size too big. A brother's, maybe. Pleated trousers to the loafers. A thin tie, loose all day. A brown satchel, too much paper. Under the carrel, the borzoi. His watch is small and plain, and it was his father's first. Fridays, his scarf on someone colder.