Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
April 27, 2026

Paper Trail

"...this back basement that has never held bodies in it..."

Paper Trail

I tear up these many pieces of recycled printer paper,
dropping a bit every few feet as I make my way
down the stairs and into this back basement
that has never held bodies in it.
When I arrive at the leaky water tank,
I empty a filthy plastic container of run-off into the washer
and head back upstairs. Retracing my steps.
Following the paper trail. Like any good
forensic accountant.






Article © Ryan Quinn Flanagan. All rights reserved.
Published in the January 31, 2022 issue .
Image(s) are public domain.
More by Ryan Quinn Flanagan → More poetry → Full issue →
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