i am in love
with a real animal
she feels strangely familiar
she feels strangely kind

i am drawn
by her steady warmth
by her interior calm
she seems to understand

i am tempted
to bring her home
i want her to be safe
i am afraid she is not safe

i am bound
by animal ownership
my dog is not my dog
she is her own beach dog

//

disproportionate luxury

my three cats are
as kept-healthy housecats
i daily reckon a deep
irresponsibility

//