A Tiny Cord of Paper

A tiny paper tag dangled from the rim of a white ceramic mug on the kitchen counter. I climbed up alongside the cool porcelain, watching how the thin, twisted white string swayed with my footsteps. It was attached to a small tea bag resting dry inside the cup. Instead of leaving it loose, I held the light paper square between my soft hands and wrapped the string slowly around the ceramic handle. Two measured turns kept it snug and still against the smooth glaze, right where it could wait quietly.