By Charles M. Sumid      Copyright 2025      Written 2012

Box half-folded.

Tape roll missing.

I find it

under the cat.

Edges curled like old lettuce.

I pull gently—it screams across cardboard.

The sound wakes the dog.

Startles the cat.

Startles me.

I pause.

Breathe.

Start again.

The second strip slides quiet. Almost elegant.