My cousin wanted it for camping—

My cousin wanted it for camping—

one weekend, just for the cold nights.

I said hold on, I'll see if I still have it,

already moving toward the hall, the lights

off, the closet door half-stuck as always.

And there it was. Still folded the same way—

the cord wrapped under like a tucked-in hem,

the dial still at four. The same as the day

she left it there. Two years ago. The same.

My cousin's voice was waiting on the phone.

I stood there with it folded in my arms

and said I couldn't find it. Said it's gone.