Creature of Habit

You're not a monster,
but an animal.
Your hair gets stroked,
and you escape,
from under the rusted hole
in the backyard,
unnoticed.
I've refilled your water bowl,
and watched you drink
for days.
Sometimes, when I'm down
I hear you scratch at the door
and allow you to lay your chin
in my lap.
When your eyes asked me
to trust you not to go
into the neighbor's flowers,
I clicked the collar
and shouted in vain
as your paws returned,
stained.
But I can't reprimand.
Can't force you
into your cage.
I know when you smell the
fibrous cut of the bone
your tongue salivates.
I know it's only in your nature
to stray.

The Naming of Dolls

I was always afraid of the porcelain ones
you lined along the shelf of my bedroom wall-
jellybean eyes that filed downward
when I was in the wrong,
shearing my name in the dark.

You wanted me to be like them-
perfectly polished, coifed, cute,
in order to make a good impression
on those who would never get the chance
to know me at all.

I would shape my hair precisely
the way you had in your pictures-
your arms were smaller,
but your head remained the same.
I seemed to favor my father...

And then the year came, when you called me Anomaly
and allowed me to stub bare feet
on roots born long ago.
And from that moment I found myself
pining for your eyes
in any angle of mine.

Acquiring the Taste

I've been told I'm growing up,

becoming older and more mature,

and I sign the lease myself

and I place the plates

back on the shelf.

Independence, I've found

is like its name

in that many times

it means

being alone.

I've become settled in,

and I drive down the street,

but the snow-capped treetops

aren't as inspiring

without a shoulder to tap,

to say, Turn

take a look.

And I've nearly forgotten

what it's like

to have another hand

hold the wheel.

But the waitress knows

where to place the check,

and I can really stretch

my arms in a theater.

Lately I've found myself watching

couples waltz at weddings

while I trace the ring

around the base

of my wineglass.

In circles.

In awe.