The relationship to a dog can only be understood by other dog owners. |
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SlipperyHe led me through fifteen years of life,tugging on the leash, always just ahead, furious stub of wagging tail, the Springer look A raving canine romantic, high on life They say dogs become just like their owners Carry on the selfsame manner, selfsame look It’s not true, but quite the other way around I became him over years, thank God Learned to get my nose close to the ground, recognize the earth, its tender greenness, identify the cling of smoke to clothes and hair Acknowledge life Spirit free to welcome friends, wagging my own tail, tasting salt on skin, curling in a corner to snooze and wonder what splendid circumstance would wake me Learning to love without duplicity, heart pumping, taking it for granted to leap ahead, impatient with my leash Snapping at the air, bounding into waves Didn’t even take him long to die Just one more adventure down the road Handled it with the grace of willingness Teaching me, perhaps to do as well |
 This poem is included in Jim Freeman's poetry collection THE SMELL OF TWEED AND TOBACCO available here in print or as an e-Book in your favorite formats. |
