"But when the kids are asleep after she's fed them their pancake dinner, she writes poems on the little pieces of paper that she fold over and over and holds in her hands a long time, little pieces of paper that smells like a dime." (The House on the Mango Street - 84) What does the author implies by saying 'little pieces of paper that smells like a dime?'

Can you quickly help me please? I couldn't be able to understand... (Please write if you know what it EXACTLY means)