Grizzled muzzle,
and the rocking gait
of old dogs and men,
carrying the weight
of seven times his natural years.
The sounds of this world
fading in his ears;
eyes seeing only memories silhouette.
The uncontained energy
of that younger one
with his mocking blue eye;
opportunity and daring
the realm of pups and children.
Yet with inspired quickness
he is chastised
in a mouthful of fur,
and reminded you are alpha still.
It takes all my strength
not to help him to his feet,
like the temptation to finish
a stutterers sentence.
But who am I to deny him
the dignity of final effort;
the macabre solace of just moving
from here to there,
eating,
sitting,
eating again,
waking,
sleeping;
but then sleeping,
not waking,
free of the heavy hand
of gravity and appetite,
wandering weightless,
coat shining,
eyes seeing and seeing,
ears hearing unchartered sounds….
kazhancock 