I Always Follow Rule 22:

All unclaimed property must be delivered

over to the Office of the Watchful.

When I find a discarded coin, I immediately

turn it in. The Officer glares, like he suspects

I’m hiding a second contraband coin. No word

of thanks. That’s okay, my duty is my reward.

An Officer yanks a yelping stray pup

from a man’s arms, beats them both. The man’s own

fault. He knew the consequences hiding what’s not his.

Two men with fury-red eyes drag a migrant woman

up the building’s concrete steps. The Office accepts

any and all forms of property; it does not discriminate.

Today, I discover an unclaimed box of explosives.

I always follow Rule 22.