NewPoetry

Nicole Haldoupis

She said, Unsettle me. I asked her to pass me the plates from the living room so I can wash them up for later. She said, Take me by the hand and show me tomorrow. You always know exactly what I want to see. I said, Hold on a second while I clean my crumb-covered counter—if you want to help that would be lovely, I think I could use backup. She said, Tell me what you need, and tell me the truth. A cup of coffee, and something else, like that dog outside, barking at Dominion, needs untying so she can leap into the lake. You need to be rattled. I said, Hand me that dishrag so I can finish up in here.