When lonely, his whimper
sparks across the dark
gap where the heartbeat's born
like a wolf howling
a bridge of sorrow
to the moon.
Once I left him too long.
He dug a hole so deep
it became a throat
that swallowed night.
I climbed down to get him out,
saw stars shining overhead
at noon.
If I forget to feed him,
he nibbles
crumbs from my childhood,
that place swept
and left long ago.
When I dream
he runs, leash-free,
returns to lick my hand.
One night
I will follow him
to the river,
step into a weathered boat
floating on the cold fire
of captured stars,
then walk with him
into his world.
© Jean Sampson, 2015
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| Canis Major among the Myth Constellations from the Universe Today website |
