the dog, the dog, he’s at it again

kissing a stranger in an alley
saying things she never expected
hearing him say her name
it isn't until he takes off his clothes
that she realizes
his eyes don't even see her
she's not real at all—
another girl, another game.
this time though
her fingers find her knife
a gift from her mother
and so she pulls it free
and watches as he turns to ash.