Pulling up to the drive-thru
I order my usual adding a chocolate croissant
I pull up and give cash
“Keep the change”
“Thank you”
Now waiting
The pretty barista hands me my coffee and croissant
“You’re really pretty”
“Thank you”
maybe they didn’t know i ordered a medium instead of a large.
Walking to a cafe
I walk up to the door
Lights are off
Door is locked
Walking back past an alley
From the corner of my eye
I see a dark golden brown dog
Old but well-groomed
Assuming it has an owner
Walking up to the dog
She doesn’t back away
She stands still
I grab the collar and call the number
No answer
I see an address
Walking her to their owner’s house
I pull her by the collar
To prevent running into the street
She falls in the grass
she died
No, she was just tired
She gets up after me pushing
Finally I see the owner
The owner is grateful
what if the doors were open
WILDsound Writing Festival 