From the collection And Don’t Come Back, 2021.

In the Parking Lot

The woman wearing au courant exercise pants
that show off her stringy leg muscles
clips the leash to the dog’s collar
Says to her friend
now when he was a puppy
I took him with me
when I played canasta
she said
I watch the dog’s face
He betrays no opinion of that time
positive or negative
I remember you talking about it
her friend said
But now
the voices fade and
I am left to wonder

Now
What?
He’s no longer interested?

8/31/20