He’s a palavering wind
at my feet
moving with atomic ferocity
His leash, a straight line
His mouth, a wet curve
Everyone knows him
at the local bar
and the convenience store
A bouncer rushes
across desultory sidewalk
exclaims he’s seen us walking
and bought treats for us
At the opening
of the sun’s eyes
we walk the line
between love and ridicule
He zigzags and frolics
A man wrapped in a tarp
rests his eyes
beneath an awning
head pressed against pavement
My boy runs to him
with a smile and every intention
of jumping into his arms
I yank him away
but he’ll never understand
the parameters of whom
he can and cannot love