RUTH’S DOG
Like a piece of laundry
Washed too often
Old Duffy, mom’s dog,
Was taken into our care
After mom was phasing out
Of her life.
Mom missed Duffy
More significantly than
Anything else.
He was blind and incontinent
Requiring attitude adjustments
For our household.
He held his P for as long
As he could which wasn’t long
Duffy bumped into walls
And furniture
Unerringly
But like a mechanical toy
With built-in change of course,
He cheerfully operated
Duffy had to go out often
And he would seemingly pretend
To be seeing where he was
Going
He would look right at you
With the same earnest gaze
He had as a pup
As if to say I’m all right
I’m a-l-l right.....
After Mom passed
Duffy didn’t get any better
And feeling our duty performed
I took him out
And had him gently put down
But it was a hard thing
Nonetheless
We still have his emerald green
Coat around here somewhere.
I took my pc printer and
Made a T Shirt iron-on appliqué
Me carrying Duffy in
After one of his outside
Relievements
The T shirt has been washed
So often the appliqué has
About worn off
The red shirt is like
Duffy was at the end:
Faded, hard to see
Going,
Going,
Gone
v.Z.
