Oh, you marble-eyed mini rascal
tail beating to your own drum
its shape a perfect C, then
the pit-pat left-right here-there of your
excited feet
dancing our welcome home
as if we’d been gone for months, ages
not human minutes
and yet -
that sliver of time
sufficed
for your adventurous nature
took you on deceivingly stubby legs
all the way to the tip of
the coveted kitchen counter
don’t deny it, googly eyes, proof
is here, evidence fatty green
on top of your delightful
feathery paws
and the crusty mound of the
thrashed avocado peel
chewed into submission
right there
on our rug
where you took your prey
and gnawed and swallowed
what you should not, before
you returned up the cabinet mountain
for second and thirds and maybe fourths?
apple core and carrot ends and — no!
banana peel? banana peel!
the swell of your rib cage
belies your innocent sniffles
and your gentle nose nudges -
while we assess the damage
worry our worries
when talking to the vet
we also can’t be help but
wonder -
how marvelous it must be
to move through life like this
all mischievousness and agility and speed
vulnerable belly rubs and peaceful sleep
your gift of being in the now
right here, with us-
as if nothing had happened
while we stepped outside into this gray, real world
and you journeyed upward
then down into the depths of the compost bowl
and sampled earth’s flavors
we vow to secure the house better
to teach you better
to prepare ourselves better
yet we also
stuff down the concern
and observe in awe
the extent of our love for,
our delight in
you, oh tiny-gigantic presence -
chestnut stars for eyes
cool leather for nose
soft white lambs ear for fur
spotted butterfly wings for ears
ferocious fire for heart
bottomless pit for belly.
