DOG

He grips the railing,

staring;

unsure of his voice

inside singing about

whether

to go or stay

to cry or yelp,

or just hope 

for better times.

His nervous system

is shot

almost, so he waits

for things to re-align

it was my dog,

who taught me more

than just tricks,

patiently smiling.

Published in Passages of the Heart, a poetic anthology, 2018: Poetry Institute of Canada