A different dog,

not scary, not out to bite me,

panted as if the world had been spinning

at a million miles an hour

and he had been close

enough to chase his tail,

playful enough to grin

and make my sister’s home

the point of existence,

to put a smile on my face.

I had forgot just what a dog

could bring to your soul,

in praise

even when for the 50^th time

they stick their nose

in your crotch

and leave you the slobbery ball,

catch the right dog

and for a while,

the world can spin

into the void

and you wouldn’t care.

 

Ian D. Hall 2017