We adopt
a consolation prize,
with the adorable name, Cheers,
who must have come from the circus.
She leaps straight from the floor
into my arms.
Flips around and jumps again
if I hitch her hind legs just so.
One small
black-and-white furball
with floppy bangs
fills a whole hurting house
with laughter
and light.
Curling her soft self
into the safe crook of my neck
each night she sword swallows
all my darkest thoughts, until
they disappear.
She Houdinis herself
free from her harness
takes her magic act
across our long country road
where cars are rare
but fast
an escape artist
giving us thrills and chills.
Cara and Christopher dress her in
a sparkly pink tutu
that rustles as she runs
toward my outstretched arms
waiting to catch her.
Today’s performance interrupted
when a wicked bike
swings to meet her
instead.
The speeding motorcycle
appears from thin air
sends her rolling
and rolling, leaves her
still and bleeding.
My talented girl’s final trick
incomplete
because I mistimed
her cue
when I called.