Canine for a Day
In line at Whole Foods
someone gives you
a shoulder rub,
and you relax into it
and look at them,
gratefully.
On the way out
the clerk drops a blueberry
in your mouth,
and you chew it with joy.
You see someone
you don't like so much,
and instead of pretending
you prickle up and have
to be pulled away,
because you want to tell them.
Then you see
the ones you love,
the very few you love—
and instead of
taking them for granted
one more day of many,
you let pure joy
seize your whole body
so they know, too.
Unmistakably.
