Strays
A WNW Poem
As she slipped into the darkness of space,
she heard singing.
She heaved her head to see stars drift past the fishbowl window like snow,
her ears twisting to locate the chorus of her kind.
In the void,
there are no streetlights,
no sidewalks where feet pass by,
scraps,
or scents
or sound.
The world she knew
stares at her as she drifts away.
Laika closes her eyes,
falling asleep
as a howl rises again,
dissolving as she exhales her last breath.
Five white dogs greet her in the expanse of the galaxy,
whimpering with excitement as they circle her,
Canis Major,
Canis Minor,
Millie,
Sirius,
and Rosie,
donning her with stars
as they scent her,
creating a new constellation.
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Artwork : “Okami Ukiyo-e,” by Vincent Trinidad
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The Word Not World Series (WNW) is an interactive anthology where, once a week, I share a photo and peers give me words that inspired them. “Cosmic” was from Phil on IG, and “Rosie and Millie” was from my mama.
My Rosie girl (to the left) is up in Heaven with Laika and they other starry hounds, Millie is still with us.
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