The Leaving Poem by R. G. Bell

The Leaving

Where's Sam, you ask? It seems he up and left!

We walked as both thought fair, no need of leash.
And though we were a pair, he wandered free
At first, I thought, in search of squirrels
That needed chasing up a tree.

But when I called he looked, but did not come.
When called again he gave the briefest glance
Then turned his tail, proceeded on his prowl.
I followed till I thought I heard him growl!

I'll never know what made him walk away.
The promise of a deeper feeding bowl,
A house with warmer bed, or brighter lights,
And better man with whom to spend the nights?

No, wait. I must be tired, confused. No dog
Would leave a man like that. It's women do.
I buried Sam today.
He left me by the only means he knew.



R. G. Bell 2009