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21.  In Defence of Grey Dog

I get defensive
When you laugh at my grey dog.
You never knew him
Before he went so blind.
All you see
Is matted fur
Walking into walls.
All you hear
Is a lonely howling at ghosts.
All you feel
Is a butterfingered
Pawing for attention.
 
You never saw
The wind take his hair.
You never heard him
Speak eloquently in French.
You don't believe
I ever saw him fly.
 
Yet, you can't reach for me
Without brushing off
Some charred crash site artifact
 
Of unconditional, unalterable,
Unforgivable love.