You held the small dog
in your arms like a baby,
kissed its head and nose.
I watched you
outside the shop;
people passed
and some stopped
and talked about it
or wanted to admire
or pat its head.
You put the dog down
and it sniffed the pavement.
You spoke to it
as to a child
as it sniffed
about your feet.
A small dog,
some special breed,
known to be vicious,
but this one was tame,
and childlike,
as you patted its head
and back.
You lifted it up again,
kissed its head and nose,
and when your husband
came out of the shop
with your daughter,
you walked away,
carrying the dog
in your arms,
and out of sight
in the crowd.
I wondered if the dog
ever walked like a dog should,
ever chased rabbits
in a field or wood.
Jul 16, 2018
Jul 16, 2018 at 4:17 AM UTC
You held the small dog
in your arms like a baby,
kissed its head and nose.
I watched you
outside the shop;
people passed
and some stopped
and talked about it
or wanted to admire
or pat its head.
You put the dog down
and it sniffed the pavement.
You spoke to it
as to a child
as it sniffed
about your feet.
A small dog,
some special breed,
known to be vicious,
but this one was tame,
and childlike,
as you patted its head
and back.
You lifted it up again,
kissed its head and nose,
and when your husband
came out of the shop
with your daughter,
you walked away,
carrying the dog
in your arms,
and out of sight
in the crowd.
I wondered if the dog
ever walked like a dog should,
ever chased rabbits
in a field or wood.
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