Day Nine - April PAD

WE SAT IN THE SHADE

We sat in the shade that day

you and I, heat rose from the sidewalk

and I gave you the last of my water

you panted, I stroked your matted fur

you licked the sweet candy smears

from my dirty, sticky fingers

I tucked my knobby knees under my dress

and you laid your head in my lap

We sat in the shade you and I

a cool breeze lifted a wisp of my hair

I brushed it back and wiped a tear

from my grimy cheek

You looked at me with soulful eyes

that begged me to take you home

And I knew I would, 

because you must have lost someone

just like me 

and I knew that daddy

wouldn't say no that day

that day that had started like any other

with daddy and momma hardly speaking

he called me from the house

and we sat in the shade in the front yard

while momma packed a suitcase

climbed into the waiting car

and drove away with one last glance

at daddy and I sitting in the shade

Janice Kuykendall

April 9, 2012