Surface Tension

Six dollars for a loaf of bread

and I let the best slice slide

face-down onto the kitchen tile.

I didn't even count to five.

I just picked it up,

the butter still warm and yellow,

and saw the single, thin hair

from the cat’s tail trapped in the center.

I didn't pick it out.

I just ate around the edges

and then I ate the middle, too.

I’m too tired to be clean.