Picking Prompts

I always pick them from books she brings,
delighted at all the clever things everyone else says.
tonight I don't see her, instead skating over frozen streets
with studded snow tires, noting my helmet would only
shatter if my head hits the ground, not a pretty thought.
that's what the man in the bike shop said in a stern voice.
I wonder what the puppy is eating now, the basket is
in shreds and she's no doubt foraging for something
else as soon as the rawhide is properly dispatched. 
Christmas is coming and we already missed the night
when it was -8 degrees to go tree shopping, I wonder
what the puppy will do to the tree.
she sure takes up a lot of space in my brain,
puppy as prompt in the absence of Ana.