gluttony

just one more bite
then i'll be satisfied
one more bite
i'm like a frog puffed up
by too many flies
i'll put down my spoon for a minute
rest
ok
now one more bite
just one
and another
i'll hate myself tomorrow
but i need to get it all

gabriella crying

skippy
in his crate
whines
when he hears
gabriella crying
in the next room
she's been nursed
and changed
but still
she raises her little voice
in anger
she gasps for breath
between cries
her little lungs
working hard
it wears me out
just to hear her
it goes on and on
breath in
cry
breath in
cry
she's furious
because we haven't met
her unarticulated need
she will not be consoled
she has such stamina
but finally
exhausted
she gives in to sleep
it felt like hours
but in reality
it's only been 12 minutes
a cautious silence
invades the house
and i return to my writing

monday morning in the living room

the wolves
are watching from the mantel
where the long-legged dolls
stand guard

below them
skippy is curled up
in his crate
growling

at a nearby bark
the tv is off
there's no music
and i have nothing

better to do
than to sit
and stare
and ponder

she is in
the other room
with the door closed
and i miss her