Teddy Bear Fate

The lost teddy bear

flattens against the sidewalk

like a dropped marshmallow

meant for s’mores on a beach.

I lift it to my glasses-framed

eyes to examine its white, plush

fur, which is smothered in dirt

and purple streaks of pen marks,

then smooth the red ribbon

that was looped around its neck

by a machine like a looming noose

that seems to represent the fate
of an object of such affection.