January 18th, 2013
Susan F. Glassmeyer
ON OLD CONGRESS RUN ROAD
A lost Lab running inside her own black shadow,
sideswiped by a car going north on the pike,
then struck by a driver heading south.
I’m an accidental witness on this no-moon night,
busy with my own troubles, like anyone else.
I don’t want to hear the dog’s pinched howl
or her fitful whimpering after she drops
like fallen cargo in the middle of the road.
I want to turn away, but a pressing thought
pulls me over—Don’t be afraid of the suffering.
So I give up, sit down in the street, stopping traffic.
Wrap myself around the furry clock of the dog’s life
as if to stop the stream pouring out of her head.
Not dead, but dying, I tell the onlookers.
I say, Touch her. I say, Don’t be afraid.
A few hands join mine as we follow the rise
and fall of the animal body, the warm belly growing
cooler with each exhalation. Pain appears to be lifting.
Now, under the village lamplight, a stunning
pink foam, almost iridescent, spilling
from dog lungs to dog mouth. Spilling a still life
of wet roses on the dark pavement: blood petals
on our hands, wrists, boots and ankles.
In a slow (call it reverential) movement, Bailey
(her collar says Bailey) arches her spine in an asana
of surrender. Musically sighs. Now dies.
—from Rattle #37, Summer 2012
“Wrap myself around the furry clock of the dog’s life”
Your narrative is moving, revealing holy moments in the good samaritan story:the lack of fear, the warm belly, the pain lifting, the spilling of roses, the music. Thank you.!
This is so moving and compassionate. Perhaps it will inspire someone to help instead of turn away. Thank you, and blessings to you.
This reminds me of William Stafford’s poem, Traveling Through The Dark, but Susan F. Glassmeyer’s poem takes the reader into the fearless heart of compassion. Profoundly beautiful! Coincidentally, I had just read one of her poems, I Tell You, on Panhala, and was looking for more, perhaps a book of hers, but couldn’t find one, just this published poem, for which I am grateful. Thank you!