The Dogma Of Dogs Poem by Lori Boulard

We could learn reams from the animal world.
Fido at our feet barks wisdom at our ears.
Consider the benefits of selective memory:
Last night? Can't recall.
The keys? Right where I left them.
Or the promise of a pure heart: Affection?
Unconditional. Forgiveness? Unnecessary.
Unchained to circumstance, freed from fashion,
He offers us a liberating, pardon, dogma.
Does not his ignorance of this world
Swing wide the door to another,
A place where senses cooperate,
Where moments matter,
Where each sliver of discarded bone has value?
Sure, seven years for each of ours seems a blow.
But maybe, just maybe, the quality
Is more comparable than we suspect.
The cat, not surprisingly, watching Fido chase his tail,
May have a slightly different view.