Laura Grace Weldon
Nine Pounds of Hound
He's alert long before anyone arrives,
tense sentry on the back of the couch
where he can best see the street,
leaps to the door as if winged
to bark and sniff until he determines
we are safe from each interloper.
Knows too, when I am leaving,
exactly as the thought
wavers my synapses.
Shrunkles to watch me
gather travel mug and keys,
then burrows his form in a blanket.
I'm told when I'm gone too long,
he lifts his tiny muzzle
and howls.
Bio
Laura Grace Weldon is the author of poetry collections Blackbird (Grayson Books, 2019) and Tending (Aldrich Press, 2013), and as well as a handbook of alternative education titled Free Range Learning (Hohm Press, 2010). Her background includes teaching nonviolence workshops, writing collaborative poetry with nursing home residents, and facilitating support groups for abuse survivors. She works as a book editor and teaches community writing classes. Connect with her at lauragraceweldon.com.