A WELL TRAVELED HEART

Tag: dogs

  • WHAT CATS KNOW

    WHAT CATS KNOW

    The neighbor’s Siamese
    all smoke, beige fur, padded feet
    appears in the abandoned yard
    next door to torment my puppy.
    She cleans herself and watches.
    How does she know not to wander
    into the busy street out front
    or Interstate behind
    to be flattened by van or semi?

    What makes her sit instead
    and groom, blue-eyed Charybdis,
    hind leg lifted amid weed-shrouded lilacs
    while vehicles varoom past and
    exhaust wafts through the air
    stained with scent of fries and
    big Macs from across town?

    Dogs know none of this.

  • STILL

    STILL

    STILL

    Five a.m.
    The old house is still
    but for the hum of the interstate.
    My ancient Scottie drowses on the bed.
    The puppy rests on pillows at its head.
    Elsa sleeps, blanket in hand,
    upstairs in her four poster.
    Her parents down the hall sleep on foam.
    The Airedale and poodle, little dog and big
    rest at their feet.

    My coffee cup warms my palms.
    The grandfather clock’s about to chime.
    Today has yet to be.
    Its promises unmet – dreams undreamed.
    The quiet exhalation of trees
    makes sweet the air
    before the day begins to breathe.