Puppy Love/ Forever/

When you hear/ the soft tap of padded footsteps

When you hear/ the clicking of nails against the floor

When you hear/ a howl somewhere in the night

You will think of her/ and smile.

-

When you see/ the matted grass of the park

When you see/ birds, flying off in fright

When you see/ a leash abandoned in the city dumpster

You will think of her/ and pout.

-

When you taste/ ham off the skillet

When you taste/ the fullness of berries

When you taste/ cold water under the summer air

You will think of her/ and sigh.

-

When you touch/ the dip from her side of the sofa

Forgo the King's speech and lend your ear to the peasants,

When you touch/ the oily softness of another dog's fur

You will think of her/ and yearn.

-

When you believe/ you cannot go on without her

When you believe/ her black eyes saw the deepest parts of you

When you believe/ all dogs go to heaven

You will think of her/ again and again/ and weep.