The Reasons We Weep
Even Over Animals
who put the universe inside a dog’s eye
or brushed its rump stalk with the deserts where nomads lose
who caused it to listen to every word you say
to think and to ponder yet to miss what you know
why must it leave you right when you love it
and why must we miss those things that have to fly away
where is the hole which is dug large enough to hold our fears
large enough to hear the ocean
on the other sides of the world
how does the dog’s paw know to never step in its urine
or what brain in its tail knows just how to lift
till other troubles have left its body
and how does its nose know the trail of the angry
who shows it how to keep the time perfectly
to know precisely when things should wake
to guide you toward the cupboard of supper
to warn you that the day has begun
and why is it stupid enough to sleep in your path
to trip your feet which will frighten its soul
why does it learn to need you so badly
and mirror the stubborn inside your own soul
what gave this gift
in all its fine forms
the canine on beach
those whelps run through grass
have you counted the varieties of chicken from heaven
go to the fair and you will know what I mean
there never was a dog just as same as another
except that dumb and beautiful thing called a doodle which you can breed
but friendly is a trait you’ll trade
when all the world is hostile to you
for what can replace the love and that grace
of a gift which keeps wait for you patiently at the door