“To Mess”

Published in Inkslinger Literary Journal, 2023.

To Mess

You filthy, splattered grime

You dog bowls overflowed

and spilled milkshakes

You sopped up napkins, piled high.

You junk drawer

of twist ties, bottle caps, and knives

You closet of suitcases

and baskets of unhung laundry.

You lingering odor

from last night’s dinner

You smoke oozing from chimneys

and ash on hardwood floors.

You coffee stained teeth

and crusty eyes

You dirty paws

tracking mud from outside.

You filthy, splattered grime

You’re irritating

And take up too much time.

— but you’re carefree

so you get an ode for that.