Skeleton Dog Poem by Glen Kappy

from 'Wonderful and Wise'

Not since Mexico
had I witnessed
such a dog—
Mexico with poverty
insistent in my memory—

the beggars lining roads
with hands outstretched
the children flocking
to our car like sparrows
for a hunk of bread.

Not since then
the hollow contour
of the belly and hind legs—
each rib protruding
like a knuckle.

But this one
had a larger frame
and looked to be
a purebreed—
how come to this?
And why?

He was poking
at some trash put out
for weekly pick-up—
but he couldn't puncture
through the bag.

At my approach
he limped away
and turned his head
to me at intervals
and moaned.