TEARS

(These thoughts for Laurie.)

I kept the small leather thing,
with the metal tags,
this proclaimed my good dog.

One night, years ago, it is hard
to tie down, that day as
it floats in the mist of my thoughts.
The Vet handed me that leather thing,
It was still warm.

My life times are are best counted
by all the good dogs I've had.
They were all good dogs.

Years have passed and my life moves on,
As I cleaned out my stuff, accumulated
through the years. I found that leather thing,
with the metal tags.
I held it up to my face,
It was still warm.