Grateful for caterpillars

Grief thrives,

Grief thieves.

I can see it in the caterpillars

wiggling in my dog’s eyebrows

every night, I leave

with my pack

as I am his.

Without grief

there are no leaves

on the Tree of Life, so,

there will be days like these.

Rainy grey days and sunny ones

just the same

mind’s lame,

not even numb.

No dog is dumb

enough nor wordless

as I can be;

without you resistance

is futile.

He dreams of forgetting, but his nose knows no reason.

I am grateful for the pain,

that reminds me all of

God’s punishments

are gifts, like the caterpillars

dancing in his brows.

Next time, stay longer and

cure the echoes in the room

with your silence.

©Philippe du Col, 2025.

NB:

1. President’s Day Sale on Annual memberships until Monday goes to Kear’s

endodontist, treats, and home-cooked meals.