The Sims 2: Pets on Nintendo DS

I get home later than anticipated on weekdays,

hungry from skipping meals I can’t afford.

It’s not until then, when I have a moment

to myself, that I unfold and hold my stylus

to check on my Sim––whose face is

as similar to mine as graphics from 2006

could allow—has enough tomato soup to get by,

and I tune out my growling stomach

and my mewling cat clawing at the door,

and forget about the can of Campbell’s

collecting dust in my kitchen cabinet.