There is a gnashing of teeth
a grate falling down on my leg
and I react to put my hand in his mouth
remembering the balance
between fight and play
looking out a train window
wondering why the fox
and other animals
cannot ride bicycles
but can run just as fast
the snarling dog that I love
lowers his head and I roll
off of my back to accost him
pinching his neck and
smoothing my hand on his face
as he swings his head back and forth
dancing with another man
for a crowd
as you walk on
the bridge above
tongue falling from his mouth
eyes aware
sparkling
like we are throwing a ball
but I know what he
may have forgotten
games turn into wars
and friends forget
I question my intelligence
when my brain and body
can't work
well enough together
so that I can only rely
on my brain
to think
when my body
has ceased to function
namely in the shower
when I am ready to go to sleep
not when I need it
forgetting
every memory that made a bond
unless you laugh
so I laugh
and he rolls onto his back
my hands fall
rub from his thigh to his stomach
watch his tongue clasp behind the grate
eyes hidden
behind their dams