black dog

he sleeps with me

under the covers

in the dark

I can feel him

pressing against me

when he shares my bed

I sleep an extra hour

when I lock him out

he watches me

through every window

he spies while I stand

hesitant before the toilet

I find him waiting

at the front door

in the morning

when I’m already late

I find him sleeping

in the shade

of my back porch

through the heat

of Saturday afternoon

he scratches at the door

unrelentingly

it seems easier

to bring him in

he hides under the table

in the kitchen

I lose my appetite

sitting alone

in front of a full plate

I know in the end

he will consume me

but for him to come

so early so often

is cruel

I know I let him

follow me home

many years ago

and made him

my pet