Temporary

The button sits in my drawer

rolling slightly when I open it,

like it's trying to escape the same way

I'm trying to escape the fix.

Someone asked why it wasn't buttoned.

I said I didn't know.

I lied. I know exactly.

I've been leaving it open on purpose,

like if I don't sew it back,

if I don't make it permanent,

then this shirt is still temporary,

still in the state of waiting,

still something I might throw away

instead of something I have to keep.

The button is waiting too.

It rolls. I don't reach for it.

We're both pretending

this is going to resolve itself.