For Jim Purdy Poem by Brian Purdy

A dog makes a difference.
I know this by experience
so am glad to hear
my brother,
whom I have never met
has a dog in his life
that is young and needs
much guidance.
In teaching we learn
how fragile
and interdependent
is any life at all
on earth.

You and I, brother
descend from the same
family tree - and learn
hard lessons. To walk
erect like pithecanthropus.
to put our nose where
it doesn't belong
and steer by stars through tree-limbs
as close as possible
to the spring.

We all of us come
at last to the spring
for moisture and refreshment.
Perhaps, some day,
we’ll bring our animals
and meet there – we who
never have met at all
shall meet at the edge
of the watering place
while stars fall soft on the ripples
and trees are full of parables.
We can wash and rise from the waters
fragile and dependent
seeing we are a single sum
then hold our heads aloft
Pithecanthropus Erectus
moping through the shadows
fragile and defiant
toward tomorrow.