Live and Let Live

There was a stray dog
on my lawn tonight
apparently not a vicious animal
sneaking along behind me
in the sultry night

Sprinklers went on violently
and the dog lay down flat
on the wet grass
paws stretched out in
utter relief

1 didn't have the heart
to call Animal Control
and leave a message
It is such a hard night—
why not live
and let live
as far as we poor ones can

Mother Teresa is dead
and Princess Diana
known in all the world
and I don't know the name
of that dog
though it must have been
something like "Tricky”

Notes

McDaniel, Wilma. (2001) Borrowed Coats. Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy University of California, Merced Library. Copyright owned by the Regents of the University of California.