are your shoes dirty?

are your shoes dirty?
it's the first thing she asks
when i enter
the house.
not how are you, so good
to see you,
i'm glad you came.
do you mind taking off your
shoes,
she says. we want to keep
the carpet clean.
so I do, sitting on the steps,
watching her
dog in the corner,
on the rug
relieving himself.