Pre-Dawn

Pre-Dawn

Dog woke me at five
standing nearby
peeping to go out

Early morning slog
find glasses, shoes, coat
it’s chilly out there

Leash means business
not play     She squats
her palpable relief
Back inside she heads
straight to bed     circles
flops, curls, moans
a bundle
of paws and tail
but I lie awake
absorbed in worry—
not a dog