this is just to say I love you

Mary Oliver and Percy

I have dropped 
a potato chip
in the kitchen

that you might 
not find 
until morning

but when you do
I hope you're 
as delighted 

as I am
at the sound 
of your tail
thumping 
on the hardwood floor

so gentle
an invitation

---

I was influenced by

Caroline Beuley

’s recent post to write an ekphrastic poem of sorts, this one inspired by one of William Carlos William’s most famous poems, This Is Just To Say and Mary Oliver who wrote a whole book of poems dedicated to her dogs.

It’s impossible to deny the anticipatory grief that comes with having an old dog, but boy do I soak up every head pat and howl. For a song this week, here’s one I used to sing to Honey when it was just the two of us living in my old Oakland apartment.

I love y’all. I know it’s a ~weird~ time to be alive. Deep breaths. One foot in front of the other. See you soon <3

baby Honey