Thank you for the puppy’s mop-like feet,

the wag, the adoration unabashed;

for the slipper, ruined trophy, trashed

and dangling from the mouth; the treat?

An unexpected chance at parenting!

To get it right, with simpler stuff

this time. The animal intelligent enough

for voracious thought; a hunger unrelenting.

A task more difficult for God, me thinks!

No woeful eye that hangs upon God’s choice

nor ears cocked to the sound of heaven’s voice

or drools on God for all one eats or drinks.

Uncorrupted is my dog an Eden-pooch and innocent, naive

’though garden’s wrecked, chair’s chewed, (and I believe

new threads are dangling from my sleeve.)