it’s the time of night – morning
four a.m. I would feed her
administer 11 units of insulin
and treasure her while she was here

she is gone – the insulin passed on
to someone whose dog still needs
but here I am, parsing out food
for our Sparky and the grand-dog

tears won’t wash my soul of this
and I haven’t enough time left
to outlive the grief of her going
though the conveniences offered . . .

nothing in the world. Nothing. can
compensate this loss of love and affection.

dmpitchford 12/30/2023