Sleeping Dog

from Out With Lanterns, a daily poetry practice

Is there anything more perfect 
than a sleeping dog? Fully relaxed,
not a single muscle engaged, 
soft snore from the throat. 
There’s beauty in watching
them twitch then breathe deep,
trusting even while not conscious
that they’re safe as always,
warm in this house, with these 
people who love them a 
preposterous amount.