no baggies in my hand

the memory

of my

dog does not persuade me

to get another

one.

in fact,

it does the opposite

when i see

the snow and ice

outside

my window.

i smile 

when a truck goes

by or

another dog,

or cat,

or bird in flight.

there is no barking

at the window,

there is

no need to get dressed and

find a bush

for him

to pee on

after an hour of passing

so many trees

by.

there are no

baggies

in my hand to remove

what

he crouches

and leaves behind.

yes, i loved him, but

he drove

me out of my mind.