Eddi, our elderly yellow lab,
both house alarm and protector,
now lies at your feet as you sit
on your kitchen stool cutting
fruit into a clear bowl.
This morning ritual is as old
as he can recall; his head
is flat on the floor as though un-
interested, but his eyes become
like a flounder’s moving in sync
with your hands above, knowing
without doubt that there will be
deliberate, accidental slips
of your hand allowing a sliver
of an apple, or peach, or even
a strawberry to create the excitement
he craves.
Faster than a snapping turtle,
he will lunge at the morsel,
causing it to disappear as though
a magic trick. You will make his day
over and over, till you are ready to enjoy
the breakfast being prepared.
No words need to be exchanged.
Having had his morning meal
earlier, he knows these offerings
are not for feeding, but rather are
the words of love between species.
