Where Sleeping Dogs Lie Poem by jackilton peachum

(for Freida)

Last night in dream
the dog I abandoned so many years ago,
when my first marriage failed and I heard behind me

the permanent shutting door into adult life.
She ran by me, I called to her-all ghost-white she is now,
her spots gone-and she came wagging, eager to greet me—

tears fell and I said over and over, "I'm sorry—so sorry! "
"That's alright— I forgive you, " she says smiling—
"You were only being human! "