Michael Fitzgerald-Clarke

for Poppy

When your mistress wishes silk, you blink
perfect eyes, and let her pet you—
the harmony in your movement is
older than your Chinese ancestry, yet
your each breath speaks an immediate,
pure love many could know, but
just one does. A Pisces, I know, with
the essence of my faraway heart,
that you have what I have, and
much more, as I am a mere human,
and you are a Shih Tzu that gently,
lovingly, even excitedly, reciprocates
each sub-atomic essence of love
offered, simple and beyond mystery.