If You Could Only Speak...

If you could only speak to me, little dog...

How do you feel when I leave you alone

many hours day after day?

How do you feel now that your human "father" is gone,

your canine "sister" gone

and you know not where or why

or whether or not either ever will return?

Do you fear that some day I, too, will disappear

never to return

leaving you with no familiar face or voice,

no one with whom to share a bed at night?

If you could only speak.

Could you tell me how it feels to limit your horizons:

The jump that not too long ago

propelled you to a height

from which you could observe a world beyond your daily limit?

If you could only speak to me to say

if you hurt and where,

and why you shun the loving help I offer?

If you could only speak to let me know

your hopes and fears.

How does love feel?

Why you are ever faithful, no matter if I disappoint and let you down,

or cause you pain (even if for greater good)/

What age-old wisdom pure from your creator might you share

if only you could speak?

(from personal archive, 8/5/96)