[Glenn Wright]

Walking with My Dog

She rubs herself against my shin.
Her fur is shiny, soft, and black.
My students’ themes on Hester Prynne
will still be here when we come back.
I snap the leash and off we go.
She snuffles scents from bark and weeds;
we wander far from trails we know
so she can have the run she needs.
She thrums with joy, charged up, aglow
with gratitude, it seems, for all
her happiness. Her features show
a pure and loving faith. So small,
deprived of words, yet she can say
enough to show me how to pray.
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Edits:
L1: She rubs herself against my shin. > She rubs herself against my shin; > She rubs herself against my shin.
L2: Her fur is shiny, soft, and black. > her thick fur shiny, soft, and black. >her fur is shiny, soft, and black. > Her fur is shiny, soft, and black.
L6: She vacuums scents from bark and weeds. > She snuffles scents from bark and weeds,
L7: We wander from the trails we know. > wandering far from trails we know > we wander far from trails we know
L8: I let her have the run she needs. > so she can have the run she needs.
L9: She shakes with joy, her face aglow > She thrums with joy, charged up, aglow
L10: I think she’s thanking God for all > with gratitude, I think, for all > with exuberant thanks for all > with gratitude, it seems, for all