My First Funeral
When I was little,
before my family broke apart,
My dog died 3 days before my birthday.
I liked dogs then.
My first close death.
It’s just a dog.
They know perfectly well themselves
it was not just a dog.
Because it was my dog who died.
The closes death I’ve ever encountered.
I liked dogs then.
We got a new dog for my birthday.
Just three days after.
After a burial,
after a day full of crying.
The smell of a former,
now dead,
dog,
still lurking in this house.
So easily was he replaced,
I wonder if I’ll be that easily replaced.
I hope so.
Not like anyone would miss me actually.
I liked dogs then.
(part of the Michigan Girl Poetry Series)