For a Dog Who Has Gone

I had no time to be sad
when she first told me,
but believe me now,
though my emotion is no doubt
entangled with my web
of work and shoulds and wants,
I would gladly pull your ears
and make your eyes disappear
into that chocolate fur,
and throw practically any ball
you wanted me to, if you
would only come sniffing to the door
in search of him, whom I cannot
and would not
tell that you are gone.

December 2 2009