Magic by Taylor Graham

For ten days the old dog growled

and grumbled at the new

pup, and begged us to make her

disappear. She ragged him, 

hung from his ruff, bit him on the ear. 

An old dog only longs 

for quiet, his peaceful cedar-bed, 

a slow amble 

down the grassy swale 

to sleep beside the running stream.

But this morning, he lifts his paw

and bows, as if asking her

a question; looking her life in the eyes -

puppy eyes. Magic,

this old-dog invitation to the dance.


Taylor Graham, California, USA