Huck - P. Gregory Guss

[Larry Robinson]

Huck  


Where did you go my little one?
Your puppy paws and milky breath,
brown, spotted fur
with the eyes of Mary Oliver

You had me before we even made it home

Together we imbued our dream
of open car windows,
golden parks with butterfly ferns,
English Plane trees 
where we practiced voice commands 
that you would stay,
and I would soar with adorations

How could they take you away, my darling
How could I have already failed
in my duty to protect our sovereignty 
They lied to my protective instincts
when they took you and your pink tummy
to be neutered 

and then gave you away to someone else 

I stand now in the dark
your open crate and your unsoiled blanket
apologizing to you
and our dream
of endless mornings, walks and tug-o-war

How they will have to wait, and wait 
now with my tears -
an open braided-leash


	- P. Gregory Guss