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Me, You and a dog called Blue
I’m watching the sky. Watching the moon fat and white and thinking that old dog’ll be around any day soon. In the distance I hear him howl. You stand at the door whistling for him, and put down a bowl of beer. I roll my eyes. You whistle some more. I want to slap you and shake you and ask you what the hell you’re doing. I don’t want that dog back in my house.
I can’t keep him away. I can’t keep you away from each other. He slopes in and sits at your feet like you’re his lord and master when really it’s the other way around. You both fix me with your sad eyes and I crumble. You need each other. You needed each other long before I came along. I’ll never keep him away. I just have to learn when he’s about the show up. Take the good sheets off the bed. Keep the cat in the kitchen. Leave the two of you alone.
This weekend I watched you sleeping with a smile on your face, a sight so rare I had to reach out and touch your mouth to check it wasn't a trick of the light. I thought Blue was a long way away, but he was waiting by the back door, quiet and stealthy. That’s a clever dog you’ve got there.
I never know he’s upon us until I feel his hot breath on my neck.
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