July 2006  

Decision    ©    by    Karol A. Neufeld
 

They spent so many hours asleep
beside each other you can hardly
tell the difference now; they're deep
into their freedom — no more yardly

duties, no more fleas or hunger.
Stroking shepherd fur, retriever red,
I sit remembering our younger
selves, stroking, hoping that I said

enough kind words before the quick
pink liquid travels down its surely
lethal course. With just a flick
of ear each one departs. The pure

truth is no God could agonize
enough to say who lives, who dies.

Previously published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
Pinesong: Awards 2006. Used with the poet's permission.
NOTICE: The copyright © for this poem belongs to the poet.