We’re having people for dinner
and we’re running late
but I can’t find the cloth napkins
I ask the kids but they look at me blankly
like I have asked them about algebra
finally I find them all
in the colander I didn’t know was missing
each one laying on top of one of her dolls
I stomp downstairs
anticipating the moment
like a sweet dessert
and I thrust them at her
with indignation
to which she looks up
genuinely confused
but you didn’t ask me
about the blankets.