Each morning,  I leave the dog to his errands.
He is routine and undemanding, understanding
of my low capacity to his needs

Starla, my shadow, my love, she rests feline chin 
upon the sun-warmed threshold and knows
this 
is her destiny. she rolls 
a gaze to me, one paw in reach, one claw in grasp
to gently tousle my leg hair.
We wait like this, together.

Please
Let me know my rights to this moment, claws out but capable of
so much delight
inalienable &
alive