Narrow Flame

Sun at the zenith. Greening
            earth.
  Slight buckling of the left

hind leg. And all this while
            the girl
  at his ear good boy and now

the hip giving way and mildly as
            was ever
  his wont the lovely

heft of him lists toward the field
            that minutes
  ago was still so sweet for

grazing and good boy and on the
            ground
  now where the frightening

last shudder of lungs that we’ve been
            warned about
  does thank you darling does

not come and feeling for a pulse
            no pulse
  and warning us touching

the liquid eye which does not
            close which
  means the slender needle with

its toxic everlastingness has done
            its job
  good boy unbuckling the

halter lifting the beautiful head
            to her
  lap and all this while the girl