Do You Still Not Remember?

         I feel the sweat as it starts to trickle

         drop after cool drop sliding, a tickle.

My heart beats at my ribs, I gasp, I blink.

         My pulse roars in my ears, I strain to think.

         Questions are hurled as if through a filter.

         I struggle to hear, that sense off kilter.

         My throat constricts, I stutter and stammer.

         Fear and confusion, hammer and yammer.

         "Do you still not remember? Where were you?

         Who were you with? Did you not break curfew?"

          "Cough it up, you must have an alibi.

         A friend, a witness, who can verify."

         I shrug, hang my head, and hold out a paw.

         A more contrite dog than you ever saw. ( 14 lines)