When I Was A Dog

Hungering

For the reassurance of your face

Jaw thrust forward, a monstering

Marionetted palsy

Of strings and pinions

Inexpertly manipulated

I met you once

In another world

Ate a stale biscuit

Threw it up again

The sky in soot and butter

Curlicues and approbations

When I was a dog, for a while

Glass house, all lies, no windows

Barked at the moon

At her silver mockery

Barked again, in the dark

When she was gone

Stars like tears

The poet said

But I was just a dog

Alone and

Not done howling