Laundry Day​

Issue 18

I am the part omitted
the once favorite clothing
of remarkable blue
and flattering lines
 
that faded with the wash
or crumpled in the basket
unlikely to preserve
its original appearance
 
in any way.
I am the forgotten shirt
the overlooked sock
the top or bottom of something
 
that went with everything else
one last part without the rest
an imperfect survivor
waiting for the next laundry day.

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JOSEPH TETRO lived in Alaska for several years, receiving his MFA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. His work has appeared recently in Kelp Journal, Raven Review, Phil Lit, and elsewhere. He co-manages Winter Light Books, which works with Ukrainian artists to publish children's books based on folktales from Ukraine.
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