APRIL
by Jodie Hollander
The old dog next door is dying.
He lies on the porch in the sun,
his breathing labored and slow.
The children next door are crying.
The forsythia is blooming.
The daffodils are up.
The sky is a robin's egg blue.
The world is full of light.
The old dog lifts his head.
He looks at the children.
He wags his tail once, twice.
Then he closes his eyes.