Presence
Hayes Davis
2016
8th Grade
Dirt on the boots we wore to dig the hole.
Hairs collected in the vacuum a month ago.
Pet store receipt for diapers.
Unstolen food on the dining room table.
Unclaimed food under the dining room table.
Loose hair in broom bristles.
The quiet delivery of mail.
Oatmeal shampoo on the shelf in the laundry room.
Lamb and chicken blend in the pantry.
The chewed up tennis ball under the couch.
The chewed up tennis ball behind the bookcase.
The chewed up tennis ball in the coat closet.
The chewed up tennis ball in the toy box.
Hairballs in places we haven’t dusted yet.
Sympathy card from the vet’s office.
Walking downstairs alone at 5:30 am.