The Coat You Almost Gave Away

A story for fall.
On the things that don’t let go so easily.

You were on your way out
to find your shoes
by the door.

Your hand went into the closet
for something warm
and found that jacket —
the one you’ve had
longer than you remember.

Half-lost
in the back,
mixed in with a life
you keep rearranging.

The vacuum attachments.
The dog toys.

You almost set it down
with the other things.
The ones
that still need
letting go.

Just a coat you picked up
years ago
when the weather
started changing.

The lining felt cold.
Then it warmed.

Still smells faintly
like the car
you used to drive.

You stand there.
Nothing decided.

The dog waits.
Like she already knows
how this goes.

There’s a version
of your life
where you let things go
right on time.

You don’t live there.

The door opens.
The cold reminds you.