Born Old - March 18, 2025

Gracie, our shih-poo

came into this bright new world

an old lady

slow, wary, sleepy. finicky

and most noteworthy

with a preset chiffon bouffant

just like those cumulus clouds

on the horizon, grouped in a gossipy

gathering of stacked white hair

though a few are showing gray

and I recognize the perfume

they’re wearing

rain