Dog Days

The house is settling
along with Fritzie's ear upon my cheek
She doesn't want food from me
She's just sleeping
Once in a while I check to see if she's breathing

It's always hard to latch the doors this time of year
They droop in the heat
So, nothing stops Fritzie from bursting
through my door at six thirty.
to announce another morning
has arrived

My feet feel the bathroom floor tiles swelling
I watch the fuschias wilting in the window box and
notice Jesus Christ's face in a stain in the marble near my toe
The gardeners rake the cement outside
It's the kind of day that makes you think nothing will change