Piss Circle

     I. My dog died in my embrace–
I held her, silenced by the toiled barks.
Held her by the snout– boiled inners, tongue failed
   Her Breath. 
I cried behind the shed, we bled, smeared 
Onto open grass half-circles
Where she used to piss. 
I’d see you again. 
     II. Could we start from cracking,
Facades once from those Appalachian kids, 
Loved you after school nights, 
Before every holiday noose, shared cranberry
Grandmothers and uncles fortune’s retreat. 
Pushed into the barrel, any barrel. 
Father’s warped barrel, gun barrel. 
     Downward dog, before and after everything. 
Roll inside, dew from the grass blades
Embrace my cheek, oh pink and lovely cherubs.
I smile where my dog used to piss.