Dad

The vendor
at the counter
hands me a stapler,
wondering why
I need yet another.

Indeed, I didn’t,
until I realized

that she giggles
when I get frantic
about lost pencils,
papers, and staplers

and she smiles
indignantly
whenever I look,
exasperated,

at her tiny hands
clutched around
the stuff she found.

I am just bringing home
another situation
inviting her indignation,

that eventually
turns into
a bear hug
of pure love.