Proof of Residence
by faintnaomi
· 04/04/2026
Published 04/04/2026 08:38
The leather is splitting at the seam,
dropping a white, serrated edge of paper
into the palm of my hand.
It’s a dry cleaning slip for a navy wool coat.
March 12th.
The coat has been gone for years,
given to the bin behind the grocery store,
but the frayed, white corners of the scrap
are tucked behind the library card.
It smells of steam and chemicals and a Tuesday
where I thought I was getting my life in order.