What Stays

I washed my jacket twice.

It's been days.

I reached into the pocket this morning

and felt it there.

Sand.

Still.

Just a few grains wedged in the seam,

in the lining where the pocket is stitched,

where nothing has a reason to be.

I can't get it out without unraveling the whole thing.

It was at the beach three days ago.

I didn't even go in the water.

Just walked along the edge.

The wind was strong.

And somehow sand got into the places

where it doesn't belong.

I try to brush it out and it stays.

I wash the jacket and it stays.

I reach in with my fingernail to dig it out

and it stays.

There's always another grain.

I'll probably just accept it.

The jacket will have sand in it now.

A small irritation

that will remind me

every time I reach for it

that small things don't always leave

when you want them to.