Ribs

 the demon of my dog
rib stuck out where my pooch got hit
struck and slid asphalt grinding
Little creature in the dawn of pain

out of storm
out of those ticks and fleas
and nasty fights and spiny trees
little running pup

hard as the lizard rock
rising along the ol trail down mantiquera
brave face and tongue piercing hot wind
roads no mercy

condemned to boiling days of peril
and lonely dreadful nights of no shelter
The furry crature has survived
I take him and bless its bones

be him as he is me in our walk toward death