The Doghouse

Now I can fathom My dog’s excitement When I came home every day. Imagine, if you will, You are my dog, Sitting in a room With no sounds But the rumble of passing cars outside. There is a stop sign in front of my house So each car slows, stops, The rumble grows quiet, And even though It’s common knowledge That there is a stop sign in front of my house, Still the dog’s heart jumps into its throat, And escapes in a hesitant bark, The dog is thinking “Finally! The best person in the world Is home!” But the car revs up And continues down the road. The dog feels hungry, He hears the cat having sex With another cat next door. He hates that cat so much. Over again and again The hope throws itself into the air Only to drop below the hell of his stomach. No matter how many cars pull up, My dog’s ears prick aloft And his tail wags - - Only to drop again. The refuted yearning Hurts him just as much Every time, Yet he can’t seem to ignore the sounds Of the devil cars outside. He hears one engine stop. He rises, looking at the window, Runs to it, paws at it, Barks in ecstasy Looking for me earnestly “Bark bark bark! Bark bark bark bark,” Go his mouth and his heart! …But the girl and little brat next door Slam the doors, The mother throws the keys to the father, And the father drives the car away. My dog cries as he realizes I’m still not home, His whimpers echoing on the glass. It’s forever, and his tail curls Under his legs, He walks off the couch, His nails clack on the floor, The only sound in a lonely house. He lays on the ground And tries to sleep, But the cat starts To fuck its friend again. My dog stuffs his head Into the sofa To blot out the cruel din. Not just disgusted, He is jealous of the cat For having someone she loves When I am still not home yet. When Will I ever come home? He curls up to make himself small, His heart hurts Swollen with missing me. That was over five years ago But all I’ve said is still true. Now the house has changed But not the stop sign, And when I say my dog I really mean me.