Old with Animals

We all see the stories

of old women

who have cats by the bale

that rule every corner

of a uncontrolled house

or the old man

who only leaves his chair

to let the dog out

that grows gray

along with his owner

When the furry face

no longer sits in a lap

or lays its head on a leg

for a scratch on the head

a woman will busy

herself in undone projects

to forget the loss

and a man will pull

a few hairs from his beard

conveniently stuck together

with drops of yoke

to feel the pain of loss

he stifled every day

of manhood

But what of the people

who are allergic

to furry box huggers

or who can't walk

a dog in places

where the dog

must be on a leash

to be in the sun or snow

Even a goldfish

in a bowl or tank

discovered to be floating

by a homebound

elicits tears

that enter a bubbling tank

unnoticed by no one

when in other years

a parent would flush

and replace

before the end day

school bell rang

The little friends

who just breathe

in the same room

keep love alive

when working children

and world-exploring grandchildren

never call and never write

The old call it justice

for the same treatment

they lavished on their family

in days of work and growth

with the stillness of snowfall

seen through blurring eyes

a bored dog's sigh

the flick of a cat tail

the burp in a bubbling tank

reminds those forgotten

that forgetful family

will get theirs

as an evil laugh

races silently through

a graying head

Barry G. Wick