Allen’s welcome

For K

A handsome almost fully grown German shepherd

thought he was harmless and little

and so acted without supposition.

With a helpless vigor

he leapt to a scent unknowingly

mixed with that of his friend and master’s.

It was a scary, heady welcome.

A nightmare if I had come in clean clothes

and a heart much frailer.

But we had journeyed long,

and nothing more could surprise me

except how wonderful dog’s breath on my face could be.