Even our dog knew the ball
under the bed

was still there— 
and he whined.

I feared it wasn’t something I saw
working out, was all.

When I moved out,
we both cried. 

But you’re not blind, she said— 
and things don’t just disappear.

Think when he would bark
at nothing at night. Like that,

she pled, you fool. You have to
close your eyes to see it.

Aaron Sandberg has appeared or is forthcoming in West Trade Review, Asimov’s, The Offing, Sporklet, perhappened mag, Lowestoft Chronicle, Abridged, Giallo, Right Hand Pointing, Monday Night, Unstamatic, and elsewhere. A Pushcart-nominated teacher, you can see him—if he doesn’t see you first—on Instagram @aarondsandberg.