ON ABANDONMENT

a dog sits waiting
in the hot midday sun:
too faithful to leave,
too frightened to run.

he's been there for days now
with nothing to do
but sit by the road
just waiting for you.

he can't understand
why you left him that day;
he thought you were stopping
to take him to play.

he's sure you'll come back
and that's why he stays.
how long can he suffer?
how many more days?

his legs have grown weak,
his throat's parched and dry:
he's sick now from hunger,
he falls with a sigh.

he lays down his head
and closes his eyes.
I wish you could see
how a waiting dog dies.

by Kathie Flood