“I’m home!” I toss my keys onto the marble kitchen table. The echo of metal on stone dies around me. Too late, I remember I’ve announced my arrival to a house and not a home. I take inventory of the rooms: uncleaned dishes in the sink; a leash draped on the back door handle like a vine of poison ivy; a bed that still holds the shape of a sleeping body; a dry water bowl calcified like a fossil; and a food dish I haven’t found the will to empty after two months. It’s alive with a body of swarming ants.
Pet-Free Home
By Kip Knott
Awwwwww, so sad.
Paints quite a picture. Bravo
Great use of quiet understatement to establish a mood. Maybe the title gives too much away?
Strong emotion without stating any emotion. I love this. It hits home for me as I lost my fur buddy six months ago and her pillow basket still remains at the edge of the couch.
I knew what this would be about because of the title, but still sad. I like the line about it being a house, not a home.
Very poignant. Have experienced that situation many times. Breaks my heart all over again. Succinct, powerful.
Terrific evocation of a pet-free house-not-home. I echo David’s comment about the title possibly giving away too much.
You paint a very clear picture, so great use of setting to anchor the scene. The sadness comes through with the inability to get rid of the dog bowls/leash. Great job.
A piece of our heart goes also. Thank you!