sundown
our oldest dog Ella has taken
to fits of barking at night
doggie sundowning the vet says
sometimes I can tell what she wants
she barks at the food closet or
she stares at the kitchen counter
at other times things aren’t so clear
her bark a barbaric yawp an
existential cry of angst or anger
which I understand better with
each passing day of the pandemic
I would like to yell as well
my consistent response is to open
the closet and drop a handful
of food in the middle of the floor
and she stops barking to eat
and then waits a few minutes
before she starts all over again
nothing seems to fix what is wrong
she doesn’t have words to tell
and I don’t have words to respond
that let her know I understand
so I drop a handful of food
thoughts and prayers disguised
as a late night snack that don’t
fix anything except to say I will
stay with her after sundown
Peace,
Milton
Still at it, Mr. Keating!