BEAUTIFUL DOG
the field beside my heart is
filled with ugly deer and one beautiful dog
a poem doesn’t have to have 14 perfect lines
or else you’re spitting on graves
maybe you’ll slip up and tell a truth
stick your flaking elbow into something rich
under the moon your tongue hangs out
you’d like to howl but there’s this language thing
the pile of shame grows and grows
please save my family from complication or sudden death
listen: a small movement in the linden leaves
the poem collaspes small and leaping
be brave be brave be brave
the field beside my heart is
filled with ugly deer and one beautiful dog
and here’s another beautiful dog
sighing sighing sighing
—Gary Barwin