Abby and the Goddess

For my sister's dog, Abby who died this fall.  She was quite a girl, and we'll miss her, even though the gum and Kleenex are now safe.

 

Abby and the Goddess

 

That girl always had attitude
A real bitch she was
Burrowing and growling under the covers
Of my nephew's forbidden bed,
Preferring the food of other dogs
To her own
Always.

Vengeful,
 Home alone.
She would feed her resentment
On Kleenex
Or gum from the Goddess's
Belongings.

Drama queen,
She used every muscle
Ears
 Springing, folding and drooping,
To the rattle of food in the dish,
The voice of the Goddess
The sound of Her car

Rat tail
Blurring with excitement
Or low and tight with remorse,
After being caught

On the living room couch

Brown, muscled body
Quivering
On dancing,
Claw tap toes
Squirting out the door
After a neighborhood cat.

And she loved the goddess
In her passionate
Worshipful way

Dancing
Her most joyful rattling footwork
For She who gave food,
Love,
judgment

Singing her most prayerful songs
For the one who opened doors
And called
When it was time to come home

And burying nose,
And body when permitted
In the lap
Where love and comfort
Flowed
In both directions,
As it was needed.