17 June 2014

Polo steps on a sticker burr

now she lying in the middle of the road, trying

to eat it out of her foot.

 

She is not as good at this as Clover.

 

I reach my hand to help. Polo pulls

away.

 

I reach again. Again she pulls away

makes a complete circle to avoid relief.

 

Finally, I grab her paw she pulls away

I hold on. The thorny ball

is lodged deep in the crevice of her pads.

 

whisk! Gone.

 

She runs from me     black leash trailing

in my left hand I pick up Clover’s pink leash     walk forward

Polo quickens her pace and I step

on her leash. Pick it up in my right hand.

 

“C’mon, Puppy,” I say. “Let’s go.”