Dog Haven Poem by naomi smith

Dog Haven

Every yard was an island
Filled with exotic terrain
Representing worlds
Far, far away.
And the geography
of the mind
Making of it
A type of island,
Undiscovered, dreamy,
A mythological place
Where gnarled Torrey pines
Like something seen on
The edge of the universe
Grew along with timber bamboo
And a jungle of exotic plants.
Before the culture wars began
Dogs roamed freely
Like perfect gentlemen.
Everyone knew the dogs and
their names.
Respectable characters
Far above the leash,
Modest and careful
And strictly aloof.