Rilke's Fear of Dogs

had less to do
with any harm
they might inflict
than with the sad
look in their eyes
expressing a need
for love he felt
he couldn't meet.
And so he looked
away from them.

He was too busy
for such obligations
waiting instead
for angels to speak,
looking up at heaven
with an expression
they couldn't help
responding to,
try as they might
to avoid his gaze.

Copyright © 2003 Jeffrey Harrison All rights reserved
from Feeding the Fire
Sarabande Books
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission