a friend in brokenness

sixteen or
seventy seven years old

skin thin and
showing bones

long oily and
matted coat
broken by patches of
raw red infection
where allergies irritate unto
biting
and scratching

deaf ears oozing
wax
and pus

paws soiled by
backyard dust

nose wet
because it
runs

shaky feet run
solely in sleep

eyes wake only
for mouth
to eat

neglected

only petted
when owner
knows life
is a dog’s

and longs
for a friend
in brokenness