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 50th time
they stick their nose
in your crotch
and leave you the slobbery ball,