Inside a bakery
At sundown.
The sounds of people
Hurrying home.
You are stuffing yourself
With rich black-forest cake.
How nice the world looks
When seen with a mouthful of chocolate . . .
A couple pull over in their car.
Old man, old woman.
Haphazard wealth.
They walk in, buy bread
And biscuits and buns stuffed with sweet coconut.
They walk outside
And are joined by a pedigree dog,
Collar intact, its furcoat in patches.
They take turns in throwing bread,
Biscuits and buns, as the dog sings
Reproaching vowels to blame
The abandonment. He wags
His tail in tune.
He doesn't touch the food.
The three have shared happier days.
A weekly ritual. Unembarassed
They return to the car. They ride away.
The dog
Slowly
Returns to the food.
