Blankie

She trailed

the ragged thing

well past

the age of eight,

remains of what

had been

light comfort

for her crib.

Last seen,

leaking shreds,

it remained

somehow inviolate

until the day

she let it lay

untouched.

Then it was boxed

and put away.

She never said

a word.

We do not know

how it lost

its magic

but feel guilty

nonetheless.

This article appears in October 2015.