Power of the Dog

Let’s begin again.

Look at the power of the dog

as the mountain, a shape in the distance

seen and shared by oppressor and oppressed.

Now we are on level ground.

Remember how the cringing dog becomes

man’s best friend, brought into the circle

of firelight and bone.

And how packs of wild dogs ravaged the bodies

of the crucified. How even Jesus

feared this fate, the loss of his body’s integrity

to their bloody teeth and jaws.

So many before and since have suffered

the mockery of soldiers.

Division of the spoils. Over and over we carry

ritual and metaphorical crosses.

Do we have to forgive everyone for everything?

But there are small moments of kindness.

Someone brings a cloth to cover our nakedness

or water to our cracked lips

and this heals our hearts just before we slip away.

— Babs