The new one arrived this morning

The new one arrived this morning

in a box with too much paper in it.

I lifted it out and knew before I set it down—

the weight was off.

Just slightly. Enough.

I set it down where the other one used to live

beside the coffee maker.

The price sticker was still half-on,

curling at one corner.

I know what I did.

I threw the old one because I needed

something to be loud,

and ceramic was available.

It was a Thursday. You were still here.

There's still a chip of it on the bathroom tile.

I keep meaning to sweep it up.

The new mug looks right from the right distance.

I've been standing at the wrong distance

all week.