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.