a letter does not reach you.
maybe
you hear
sobbing.  the lady with the dogs

she hung herself.  her bare feet

you cannot
stop seeing.  when she was told

she had a son
his death

mattered less.  you wait in the garage

most days
for your husband
to get out of the car.  it turns over, it dies.  he looks up

much like them dogs
looked up
you think

for the one at the end of the rope.