When the little dog comes up next to me,
she growls and looks up. My friend laughs,
says that's the way her dog lets you know
she wants to be petted and made much of.
The dog has no trouble presenting her needs.
She doesn't wonder if it's the right time,
if someone will notice without being told.
Teeth and trust, offered in the same breath.
No requirement for further translation.
It's kind of amazing— there's no need
to carefully step around, pretending
what you need is no big deal, really.
No weird circumlocution, no profuse apology
before the request has even been communicated.
But then again, the dance we do is all our own.
It's how we say come closer, without using language.
Purveyors of fine poetry since 2003.
