"The Catahoula Lean"

There’s a breed of dog from Louisiana,

name of Catahoula.

And if a Catahoula trusts you,

he’ll lean on your body like a sleepy tower.

When it happens, your tight bones will split out so that your soul can sigh:

“The Catahoula Lean

like full fat heavy cream

drop, rest, plant me in my tummy.

Now we’re just two creatures of need.”

Back home in me I remember, I can live like a poet with a Catahoula who leans.

Lean on me, little Catahoula.

You got me. I got you.

And if I forget, press your sleepy tower head on my heart and I’ll split open again so the world can have me too.

But I just know I won’t remember. So lean on me, little Catahoula. Until I’m honest on my own.