carol

coming from the back of the house
she was surprised by my presence.

with wet hair she sat and smoked

my cigarettes thinking they were her own, and
when she realized her error, she said

she was sorry and that she hadn't meant to
steal from me. 

and so on this occasion i could
point out that there is a difference

between stealing something and

being given it.  and that i had watched
her smoke my cigarettes and not stopped her

so if she had stolen something from me
i'd like her to say what it was. 

she looked away, fast and
she looked at him.  and he

stared at the floor.  the

dust motes drifted in the
sound of the aquarium bubbling

but no one else moved
and no one else made a sound.


i enjoyed the moment.