This is a sad poem about a sad situation (and one we’re all familiar with, as it doesn’t just pertain only to our canine friends). I don’t pretend this short poem explains –or even addresses– our myriad sociopolitical woes, but it affirms my belief that a general lack of empathy continues to do great collective damage.
One of the many reasons it’s a privilege to appear in the Triggerfish Critical Review (here’s a link to two previous poems they were kind enough to publish) is that each poem is commented on by fellow contributors, helping facilitate the dialogue art attempts to initiate. I share this less with pride at the publication and more as a reminder we all must care for one another.
The Insane Dog in the Alley
I hear him at night and see him
during the day. I hear him then,
too. I can’t understand exactly
what he says, since we don’t speak
the same language. But when he talks
I’m watching his eyes (the eyes never
lie). And they are like any other animal’s,
except what’s happened to them because
of what’s happened to him. Abandoned
or abused, or just ignored, he’s changed.
Those eyes attest to the hours/days/years
during which time promises were breached.
Accordingly, what at one time was confusion
has—during the dark and heat and isolation
—mutated into resolve, a promise
to everything and anyone: I will hurt
anything that tries to touch me.
