Nine Fingers are Ready - August 11, 2024

lose a dog  lose a finger

the price is always

some piece of you

amputation without anesthesia

the cruel agony that comes

with the denial that it simply

can’t be  so you reach out

but with nothing to touch

tears fill that ghost of a space

some folks stop with just a

pinkie missing or part of a ring

finger after just one furball passes

others like me

forget that awful moment

the sad weeks that follow

and start to remember those

shiny-eyed  tail-wagging greetings

the slide of fingers down a soft coat

and say to greatest love of all

I’ve still got nine fingers

willing to play once again