Today we rescued a dog.
She is cute, lovable.
Never had a home,
never looked at by anyone
the kind man told us
who rescued Butter
from a wretched cage,
confined by hoarders.
Home now
for the first time
sniffing away loneliness—
yard to smell
nearby park
leash walks
toys to hassle
laps to snuggle
beds to flounce
more touches
in a single day than ever.
South of here,
children in cages
crammed together
not even their own,
like dogs on display
at PetSmart.
Separated from family,
crowded, inadequate
clothes
showers
food
attention
touch
love
Indefinite.
My wife and I cannot
stroll into that place
look into imploring eyes
bond
fill out paper work
take a rescue by the hand
perhaps stop at McDonald’s
on the way
home.
Originally published in The Literary Yard