The plastic spaniel has a jagged ear

The plastic spaniel has a jagged ear

where the mower caught it in the grass.

I told him, 'I can fix it, have no fear,'

watching the little shadows of his wonder pass.

But the glue I have is dried into a pill

and the hardware store is closed until the dawn.

I have no talent and I have no skill

for putting back the pieces of the lawn.

He asked me 'When?' with eyes like open doors,

a terrifying trust I haven't earned.

I put the dog in the trash with the other chores

and waited for the lesson to be learned.