without compromise

it's hard not to love
a dog.
four legs, fur, a tongue,
tail wagging
with delight
at the sight of you
finally coming home,
arriving.
it's hard not to throw
the ball
across the yard,
send it sailing
in an arc
across the blue sky
of his young life, longer
than yours is
at the moment.
hard not to love anyone
or anything that
gives it back without
compromise.