Four legged love

Sixteen claws clatter

up and down the hall    

two hours before

first light: a body

sculpted by age

and pain stumbles

like a newborn

lamb, paws splay

to counterbalance

knees and tendons

bearing a lifetime

of eager to please.

We meet in chilly

darkness; even now

he can’t contain

his joy, his front legs

pound the floor,

the doggy dance, we call it,

his limbs bewitched

by unconditional love.

I’d sooner hear this

sleep thief prowl

the night than wake

refreshed to silence.