u/Alarmed_Big_562

Seven thousand one hundred and three —

common days pressed by life.

It is time.

.

Ten pups, four males —

a medley of coloured ribbon.

.

Number five.

A chance.

.

Father’s gift —

a beautiful boy.

.

From different places —

his name chosen twice.

.

At home, in our room —

an ordinary night.

.

Across from his den,

a monument to memory —

time left untouched.

.

The teddy and a pup —

thousands of days bent inward.

.

A mirror —

the fur, his nose.

.

Ribbons …

matching green.

.

His name —

Barnaby.

son of consolation.

The first hallow day,

the last he would be —

the cold son shines in the Fall.

Drowning — lungs fill with tears.

.

Our watershed.

.

Father and Mother —

chests twisted and sallow.

Agenesis — the birth of death.

.

Mother’s gift — a grand plush teddy, adorned:

fur, as soft as his skin, its ebony nose —

and a ribbon.

.

The second hallow day,

the last he would be —

the cold son shines in the Spring.

Father walks — taking breath.

.

Quietly perching above the ward, a murder gathers.

.

At once — a screaming cloud, wings clapping.

Echoes between buildings.

.

Run — fast.

Threshold crossed —

to her bedside, gasping.

.

empty hands.