the red wagon

whether the wagon
was red
or not, is not important.
that's not
really part of the story.
the dog
dying is.
the policeman
using one bullet to take
his life
as he lay in
the street
after being struck
by a car.
go get your mother
he said,
as a small crowd
gathered
in the morning sun,
my route
finished,
the last paper thrown
onto the last
porch.
we covered him,
and pulled
him home.