190190

a wild dog’s devotion 
you domesticate, 
and do not reciprocate. 

          i.   
          gifting a carcass; 
          a hound’s loudest love language 
          shamed, diminutive  

          ii. 
          whining for hours, 
          your dead silence. it’s deadly; 
          the love you bury 

          iii.  
          waiting by the door 
          hoping for one scratch between 
          these perked ears. please. touch. 

          iv. 
          your fierce protector. 
          they tell you, “call off your dog.” 
          you say, “sit. stay. bad.” 

          v.  
          desperate for your time 
          pawing, whining, crying, bite— 
          flinch. cower. shake. sleep. 

neglection is watery 
devotion is thick 

i dredge through the mud of it. 

Evan Allee

love languages