Go to bed
Let the dogs do the barking
Let them do the howling
for you
They can take it
Their hearts are smaller
but they beat faster
They can take the cold
and the dark
and the mystery of night
Let them lick the wounds of the day
Their tongues are softer
and easier on the skin
They are better at it
It will not take them long
Let them dig through the dirt
and uncover the spoils
Their courage is purer
and more potent
They can take whatever horror
rises from the depths of the black earth
Hide under cover of their warm coats
and sing yourself a lullaby
If they become silent
It is only because they are listening
to you,
for you
Now rest in the innocence of their eyes
and close yours as easy
as they stand guard
patient
knowing
certain that the sun will return
in the morning,
that the mourning will end.
