Still Valid

I was somewhere around page 80

when I gave up on that book.

The card fell out when I tipped it

over the box — your library card,

the photo where you'd blinked

half a second too late, where you're caught

between the face you meant to show

and your actual face.

I looked up your account number on the library website.

It exists. You have something checked out.

Overdue. I didn't write down the title.

The card is on the counter now,

next to the packing tape.

The counter is mostly bare

because I am finally, finally doing this,

sealing the boxes, making the calls—

the photo is terrible.

I forgot how bad it was.

You were so annoyed at the camera.

I haven't packed the book it fell from.

I'll pack it.

I'm just going to let the coffee finish first.