day 30; keep me in your wallet

Keep me in your wallet
tucked between your Bastardcard
and old photos.
Pull me out at parties
and at restaurants before the starter.
Share me with your friends.
Show me off to your women.
Go ahead and tell them
you knew me before anyone else did.
You need another thing to brag about.

And when I become frayed and bent
and when my ink has faded—
please, god, don't throw me away.
Place me in the basket on your dresser,
reserved for all sentimental trinkets
forgotten and dusty,
so there might be some shred of proof
that I once existed in your life.