Where i live, there is
a neighborhood dog.
His name is "Freedom,"
he visits us all, though
less frequently of late.
He is spritely and cute,
only so-so with kids,
but refuses to beg
for scraps.

My neighbors beat it to
death with bricks of
compliance, nicknamed
security, to its face.

They were gentle,
so gentle...

hushed voices and smiles
all the while.