Laura Grace Weldon
Bright-Burning Ember
Cole is a tiny puppy, fresh to this planet,
figuring out leash, dish, do's, don'ts
when for the first time he's let off lead.
He runs, wind ruffled blur of fur
zigzagging across grass
slowing only for the thrill
of speeding up small hills.
If a dog smiles, he does.
We savor his joy.
Our species chases highs
but exultation is right here
even when we call
it back as a memory.
Grass, hill, sunshine, Cole.
Bio
Laura Grace Weldon lives on a ramshackle farm where she grows absurd ideas. She served as Ohio's 2019 Poet of the Year and is the author of four books. Laura works as a book editor, teaches writing workshops, and maxes out her library card each week.