Affect or effect

Affect or effect.

Every time I need it I go looking,

every time I find it, read it, close the tab,

and it's gone before the next time comes.

This morning I typed the first three words

and the bar finished the sentence for me.

Gray text. Automatic.

My own question, already there.

And before that, February.

Before that, October.

The same three words in the same order,

the same slight pause before I hit search

like I'm hoping this time it will stick.

It doesn't.

Something about causation — affect's the verb,

effect's the noun, usually, mostly,

there are exceptions, there are always exceptions,

which is probably why I can't hold it.

The exceptions are a door

that won't stay closed.

I read it again.

Nodded at the screen.

Closed the tab.