He shows me the way
A boy in a dog suit
On a scent
Innocent
His marble-sized eyes
Soft brown nougats
Warm Black Crow centers
Anchored in opposing tear drops
At rest
Lying sideways
Between the weight of the world
And a profound sense of loss
He has seen it all
And regrets most of it
Eyes rimmed as if with kohl
It’s a look, a look that cannot be denied
You want to give him everything
You will give him anything,
Anything that will make his tongue come out
And swipe his snout
Or make him sweep the floor with his tail
Call his name
Tell him he’s good
Ask him if he wants food
Ask him if he wants a ride
Tell him Mommy’s coming
Tell him anyone’s coming
For God’s sake just say hello
As Quixote upon seeing a windmill,
He tilts his head
He pumps an eyebrow
He’s ready to follow you
To the ends of the earth or the driveway,
Whichever comes first.
“Mommy, why is that doggie so sad?”
The little girl pumps her mother’s hand,
Her finger wags at Floyd
“He can’t help it,” I say in a sing-song way.
“His eyes are shaped like sadness.
His brows slope down,
Like a seesaw always down.
He always looks this way,
Even when he’s happy
And he’s always happy.
Isn’t that right, Floyd?”
Tilt
Pump
Lick
Wag
Giggle
The little girl runs over and hugs Floyd,
Squeezing his scruff with arms of grace in training.
He looks at me as if to say,
“Is this the ends of the earth or the driveway?”