The Unbitten


from the ABC set ALMOST ZEN

Three dogs escaped from a yard,
Two blocks from home the wind
Suddenly became stronger.
Sensed the four-legged gang and ran.
The chase - the fall - the panic.
They halted, tails wagging,
Their formation cordoned off
An unsuspicious life.

Picked up school-bag and broken umbrella,
Almost trembling.

The nights that follow such days
Are nights of fever.
Three injured toes healed slowly,
Permanently destroyed toenails,

One for each dog.