Savior Dog

Intro:

They did not understand the news, could not read the numbers, had no opinion on vaccines or lockdowns. They simply stayed.

By Vincent R. Pozon

She cocks her head like she's crooking
an eyebrow, offers a paw
in the air, the paw is a word,
the stare a question, she thrusts
her head forward, searching
my face for what bothers.

In the coldness of covid,
the paws comforted, the whip
of the tail delighted, their
noses keen to the smell of woes.

She flops down beside me,
nudging, demanding the rub,
we healed when we stroked
petted bathed nuzzled fed.

There, deep in the nervous nights,
she looks me in the eye and barks,
“Be still, know that I am dog".