Poem 24 of 30-

Woman’s Best Friend

Most of my life has been spent

in the good company of dogs-

Shoulder bumping my leg as we walk;

reminder that they were still there.

Dangerous tails clearing coffee tables

Missing holiday turkey when left unattended

Drive by face lickings

Peaked ears at strange noises after midnight

From shared warmth

sleeping pup, nuzzled on my neck

to stretched out long against my back

My ear pressed to a sturdy chest

to hear a heartbeat

I could listen to forever.

My dearest creature friends

who gave

all their love

all their loyalty

all their lives-

It’s so quiet now,

except for the river of tears I make

upon their leaving