Dog Park
She had stove top burners for eyes,
and every word she spoke bubbled
over slowly as if someone had left
her
too warm for me to get close.
My gestures were tepid and careful,
like a small boy meeting a strange
dog, alone in a park. Calm and reserved.
I presented compliments as if they
were the back of an open hand for
her to sniff, and my lips shook.
Afraid that she would bite.
She merely growled in disbelief;
A rabid jeer at the quiet remark of
an untrustworthy captor.
She saw me as a threat,
but never turned away.
We were two animals
looking for comfort;
afraid to be burned
and yet too hungry to
let go of the flames.
-James Kelley 2013, All rights reserved.
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