Quiet Life

Our dog has lost his hearing.
It’s sad.
Years ago I read to him
DOG SONGS by Mary Oliver:

“A puppy is a puppy is a puppy.
He’s probably in a basket with a bunch
of other puppies.
Then he’s a little older and he’s nothing
but a bundle of longing.
He doesn’t even understand it….”

Thirteen years ago we said
“We want this one.”

A few years ago
Without incident
We walked
And every few minutes I talked.
Good dog, Good dog.
On we went through the park.
All the time our dog here
There, everywhere
A scent sensation
He followed.
And when I wanted
To stop to photograph
I said, Freddy, sit, and he sat
And he waited and when I said
Okay, on we went
Our way past Meadow Trail And Beaver Brook.
This is my path. Our path.
We came to a hill.
I huffed and puffed to the top.
And our dog wagged his tail.
We made our way Home.

Our dog has lost his hearing.
His bark is louder than ever.

Good dog. Good dog.