The dog came over to tip upright
and put his paws on my knee
to better stare into my face. His ears
trembled like petals in a breeze.
I went on reading, as if the poems
concealed some illuminating lesson
which would render life worthwhile.
A moment passed, then he pulled away
and curled up patiently on the rug,
like a burnt croissant in sunlight.
His eyes never left my searching
face, as if he were saying,
“I’m here. Look here. It’s me.”
