roy herndon smith
cruelty abides
unacknowledged in walls of
muscle, bone, and mind
the pet left alone
in the care of strangers who
put him down whimpers
unheard in the peace
of his owner’s detachment
until the calm breaks
and a silent howl
rises and falls in each breath
informing the flesh
crumbling into life
everlasting with the dog
and the weeping earth
dust 