things i forget i carry

for Callenevery coat i own, i think, has

its own pair of gloves that i

keep in the pockets

just so i can’t forget them

when it’s cold

i tuck my hands in and discover

all the things that i forget i carry:

movie tickets, business cards

of friends and strangers,

tissues, chapstick, old receipts

now folded into the tiny hat

my baby outgrew weeks ago,

and one ineffable, unmistakable

plastic-metal doo-dad

solemnly entrusted to me

by my little boy

who deemed me worthy of its keeping.

he’s forgotten that i have it,

as have i – i still forget

until i tuck my hand in and remember

with my fingers

all the things i carry

please only reprint in entirety and with credit given

#40for40