LUCY

The door opened and Lucy shot in
with explosive force.
She seemed to run into all of the rooms
at the same time.
Then she bounded up the stairs,
whizzed through those spaces,
and flew back down
to where Claudia was still kissing us hello
and taking off her coat.
Now she directed her energy at us,
dashing back and forth
and sniffing,
and we returned her wags with smiles.
The whole house seemed
touched by her presence.
We sat down for conversation
and Lucy curled at Claudia's feet,
but her eyes were on the lookout
and her ears cocked at every sound.
"Come here, girl, come on,"
I urged from my seat.
She paused,
then she came to me,
and I felt blessed with affection.
Such is the power of
doggie love.


© Ellen Azorin