Who Left the Door Open? August 23, 2024

he  just home from work

in a blubber of tears  voice scaling

octaves of fear with words that

slip between tormented breaths

what if she’s hurt or suffering

out there all day in 120 degrees

I don’t want to find her dead

I couldn’t live without her

she a runaway scooped up by a neighbor

brought inside and given a nice

meal  cold water and playtime

before taking a nap together

Cutter the dog and Chance the owner

reunite in a wild scene of spinning

hugs  leaping kisses and a clingy

departure gushing with gratitude

the moral of this lucky ending?

          if you’re going to skip the part about

          IDing your dog with a phone number

          at least give it a 10-week course

          on how to speak passable English