you fed me breakfast at the QuikTrip
the sky was still dark blue
thin wax paper, I couldn’t eat much
’cause I was looking at you
oil leak on the dash, you say it’s been like that
this car is dying slow
and it wouldn’t make sense to try to revive it
so you’re letting it go

I didn’t know you could have
so many dogs under one roof
when you come in, they come running
and jump for joy from seeing you
then, when you go to bed, there’s one
who paws at your door and cries
she curls up with the next best thing, which is me
but in the morning, she waits for you like sunrise

I’m starting to see you
through your dog’s eyes
so I’ll stay for another day, and then
I’m leaving

soon as you kissed me, I heard
a faint whimpering in the dark
as we made love, she threw up on your floor
so you carried her out to the yard
paws on your chest
little body like a rag doll in your arms
oh, I need to watch my heart

’cause I’m starting to see you
through your dog’s eyes
and it’s starting to scare me
so I’m leaving
I’m starting to see you
through your dog’s eyes
so I stayed for another day, and then
I left with the morning light

maybe I’ve known you longer than I know
’cause somehow, your dying car
and your crying dogs all felt like home

tonight I’m curled up all alone
with the next best thing:
a picture of you on my phone
I can’t explain why that particular face,
those particular bones,
matter so much to me now
like I’d run across a highway
to keep you safe and sound