Dogs

I can hear the barking of dogs around their bed

I hear the release and then silence

Then I pretend to sleep

I'd rather on the ground than in your bed

I'll sleep on the lawn or stay up instead

There's a deep well that seems mostly empty

I stand at its edge and stare it down helplessly

Then I pretend to be alone

I'd rather on the ground than in your bed

I'll sleep on the lawn or stay up instead

Stink and sweat and moan and dream of different air

Too tired to think and too dumb to care

I wander out, my swollen feet

To whatever pond I can leave peacefully