Paws clatter hardwoods
Like tap dancers on crack.
You leap so eagerly into hatchbacks
You clip your head on agonizingly
Slow doors to lift.
You whine the whole drive,
Though we can finish it
In one song
If we make the lights.
No matter, of course—
We can never make the light you want:
The light speed jump.
Do you worry, one day,
Maybe today, maybe forever,
We will double back?
That the chainlinks won’t be there?
You sob every ride
With the certainty of uncertainty
That we are only driving by,
Only parking here by happenstance,
Only leashing up from muscle memory.
But then—
Inside! Finally!
Sprint treetotree, sniff & Jack
On tap in the reeds and pines.
Dad! See me chew!
And just as quick,
Through the doubt,
Beyond the uncertainty,
You race greyhound quick,
To lay at my feet.
