4.22

tan stripes tiger across her

short haired black coat, lone

survivor, abandoned puppy,

stray.

so many strays come to the

promised land, hearts open-

closed from the wounds, hoping

for redemption.

abandoned, injured, cast off,

neglected, leaning on St. Jude’s

comfort for lost causes and

hopes.

we put out food for the stray

recalling ourselves at the wait

for a morsel, longing for

a crumb

remembering the moment

when the impossible Lover

surprised us into

new lives.

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