Puppy Diaries, Pt. 2
The lightning on your nose feels like velvet and
I love your white-tipped waggly tail.
I didn’t know dogs have belly buttons -
or get the hiccups,
and grab for treats
like baby birds -
necks reaching skyward,
with mostly gummy mouths,
accepting anything that falls in.
I didn’t know you’d
fall asleep on The Guy’s feet
so that he couldn’t move,
or that you’ll curl up on my tennis shoe
after nights
when nothing seems to be going right -
and suddenly everything is
smaller and simpler -
the world outside the sliding glass door
disappears.
I didn’t predict you’d ground me so quickly -
demand my patience, reveal my unknowing,
humble and bring me to the floor
where ropes, a stuffed elephant, and
a little green monster that crackles
are the most delightful things
in the moment, other than
your white chest and
pink paws soft as butter.
Your legs reach to the sky as you turn and twist
on pillows scratched for the right spot.
After naps, your untroubled trot takes you to reflections
you don’t understand yet,
but you know another dog when you see one.
Baby, that’s you in the mirror, in the window,
in the sliding glass door -
but unlike when you jump at the cat,
when you kiss your own face,
the gesture is always returned.
Your heart beats wildly in my arms
that you’re quickly growing out of.
Bigger, squirmier,
gaining strength too much for me to know.
You’re part cat and martial artist,
one paw rising like you’re ready to break boards,
and attack rose thorns -
approaching cactus like they can’t hurt -
what is it like
to not know this dangerous world?
I often see the beginning and end
at the same time -
you’re little and big,
young and old -
toddler and wise.
I watched your baby eyes, mesmerized
by your pup sister’s towering, swaying, tiger tail -
saw you twist your head clear around
on the first day
to follow her as she walked by,
and I thought,
“You’re going to break my heart, aren’t you.”
Someday, and today,
you’re going to break my heart.
I didn’t know dogs have belly buttons -
didn’t know the lightning on your nose
would feel like velvet.
Didn’t know the hiccups and heart beats
and salubrious, stretching heart strings.
