Drawing by Judith Wolfe
Lindsay Smith

Poem


      TO MY DEAD DOG

      Doberman Shepherd Cross, beautiful animal.

      Hello Mickey

      I dug up your skull the other day by mistake
      I was busy digging a trench
      To plant a row of lilies & your head just rolled out

      When I moved you into a deeper hole
      your jaw came away from your skull

      The jaw that was so big you could run into a game
      pick up a full sized footy & run away
      out of the park
      with the kids chasing calling out to you
      That made everyone laugh

      I remember your last walk around the block
      we took turns holding the leash
      & you staggered & stopped
      wheezing & panting
      Holding your ground to the end

      In the morning I found you finished

      lying in a pool of water streaked with mud

      So I rolled you over a few times

      & buried you there close to your kennel


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