Dog Heart
       

He lies still, breath clouding the slate tiles
between his paws. Only the occasional twitch of an ear
mars his perfect vigil. He has grown old
following the girl, his only lamb; has watched her

since a diaper rustled at her thighs.
Now she is gone all day
and he waits for her here by the door.
He has contemplated the demise of the mailman,

who moves too close when he hands her packages;
has dreamed the warm brine of the bus driver's blood.
Do not misjudge this old dog—
beneath dull fur and steepled bones of his ribs

runs the keen rush of valve to ventricle,
the old thrill of a bared tooth.

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Copyright © 2014 Noel Crook All rights reserved
from Salt Moon
Southern Illinois University Press
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission