canis minor
A shadow of the usual kind
is not so hairy, that is true.
More ordinary shadows take
to training easier as well:
they sit when you sit; walk, they heel;
shake hands, roll over — say the word
and demonstrate — they follow you.
An ordinary shadow needs
supremely little food or care.
It’s cheap. Long–lived. But then again
a shadow of the usual kind
cares very little who it tags
along behind. It may be well
behaved (an ordinary shade
will rarely gnaw the baseboard or
jump on the counter, eat your lunch,
then beg for more). It may not gaze
deep in your eyes and cock its head
until it’s your apology
to make. But at the end of the
most soul–excruciating day
at work that you have ever known,
a shadow of the usual kind
won’t bound the distance of your day–
–long separation, leap and lick
insistent, innocent, to ask
But aren’t you happy now? And now?
And now? and now? And how ’bout now?