Charise Collects Puppies and Birds

Puppies and birds, they were Clarise’s go-to’s. She always had her eyes out, she never did snooze. Fishing them out of crevices, crannies and old boats. She never brought home llamas, donkeys or goats. Puppies and birds, she collected faster than most. I have sixty-two robins, she said in way of a boast. Her blue glasses were always full of dribbles of white. These birds let down squirts on every one of their flights. The puppies seemed happy, none were in cages or a pen. I cannot open the door, she said, afraid I can’t let you in. We didn’t want in there, but we liked seeing Clarise. She has a keen sense of humor, and empathy, my little niece.