Kleenex

Image description: A golden doodle lies between metal legs of a desk and the legs of a person sitting at the desk. Photo credit: Melissa Spurrier

You skulk past,

Head bowed in shame.

You take a few steps and turn,

Back and forth,

And back and forth,

In front of me.

I know what you’ve done.

Head so low,

But eyes are up—

Soulful and deep.

Pleading,

With me.

I don’t understand.

Can’t.

I hold your face,

Look into your brown eyes,

And open your mouth.

I reach in,

And remove it—

The Kleenex

That I just used.