It Happened Again This Morning

It happened again this morning,
Funny how it catches me with no warning;
I see his waiting leash by the door,
But hear only echos of paws on the floor.

No time for tears, I’m late;
No gas in the car, have to wait
For my turn at the pump, and then
Get back on the freeway again.

Now stuck in traffic, road is blocked;
No one to punch me in, my pay will be docked;
Sirens wail past me with flashing lights,
I can’t even bring myself to pray they’re alright.

The cars inch forward, one by one;
Smoke becomes visible, shadowing the sun;
A burning building outlined against the sky,
Fireman running and rushing by.

The roof collapses in a final heave,
Flames rise higher as I turn to leave;
It catches me unprepared, wide open;
That soft ‘woof’; the sound of hoping.

He carried her, carefully through the smoke,
Cradling her singed body; my heart broke.
I watched as she nuzzled each of her seven
Then turned to her savior, as though in heaven.

It happened again this morning;
Funny how it catches me without warning:
This happiness at the sight of eight empty dishes
And eight wagging tails and eight waiting leashes.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
February 23, 2011 at 4:41 AM
Congratulations Deb, on your well deserved win in Joyce's contest. Love, Carol
Fraser Avatar
February 5, 2011 at 6:04 AM
Yippee!!! your on the podium again Deb, and rightly so with this lovely poetry. Many congrats to you....:)x
Calhoun Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Hi Deb - Congratulations on your win in Joyce's contest. Best wishes, Kory"
Richards Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 12:43 PM
A wonderful entry to the Doggy contest! Congratulations on a well deserved win, Deb! love, Carrie
Poet Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Beautiful story you have penned Deb!Congratulations on your win---kashinath
George   Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Moved me to tears, Deb. Congrats on your well deserved win. Lainie
Devonshire Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 9:39 AM
8 wagging tails and 8 waiting leashes. Adorable, Deb. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Congrats Deb on your success in Joyce's contest with this extraordinary entry and touching write my friend.. enjoy another well deserved win with luv..
Freeman Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 7:25 AM
Good to see you in the top ten Deb. Agape, Moses
Mannan Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 7:14 AM
This is awesome.Tons of congratulations for this victory
Onclaud Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 1:12 AM
vivid portrait with lilting sense of sentimentality!! congrats on the win, deb.. remarkable!.. huggs, nette
Haick Avatar
February 3, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win in Joyce's "Doggy Gratitude" Contest, Deb. Enjoy! Love, Annalise
Johnson Avatar
February 3, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Great story Deb. I enjoyed and it was a pleasure to find your name here. Thanks for entering. Love, Joyce
Fraser Avatar
January 21, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Koolio take on the picture posted by Joyce for her contest Deb, nice one. Good luck in the said contest. Have a lovely weekend....:)
Sweetheart Avatar
January 21, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Excellent write Deb.. good luck in the contest.. a stirring story told in your lines of poetic mastery ..luv..
Pettit Avatar
January 21, 2011 at 8:24 AM
This is a bit longer than your usual work, but it was worth reading. Everything is written very well with great descriptiveness and rhyming.
Roberts Avatar
January 21, 2011 at 8:10 AM
that was beautiful Deb, good luck in the contest
Richards Avatar
January 21, 2011 at 7:31 AM
What a tender and loving poem....Very sweet, Deb!
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