Let the Puppy Off His Leash

Sometimes things you try to hold on to
shouldn’t go together.
Like wearing a business suit
to the beach,
refined, dignified,
you keep your shoes on.

If only you would
strip off your façade,
put your toes into the water,
and allow the waves
to wash like puppy kisses
your ankles clean
of the crap
you walked them through.

The stench
of your mistakes
wouldn’t follow you
today.