The Night Guardsman by Jesse Miksic

Autumn has called this

rugged child dog out of sleep

when the sun is still

just flexing her fingers.

He has been a restless sleeper lately,

two days ago he was

chasing something in his

doggy slumber, and

we didn’t wake him, because

who would do that, or

undo it, bind his little

wildness? But yesterday

it must have been a nightmare,

because he leapt suddenly

upright, growling, terrified

in our quiet bedroom but

furious to protect us from

his transient intruders.

He is a loyal boy, fully

dedicated to his life’s work –

to the vanquishing of all

the small noises at his

great noise, to the unbroken

light at the front window.

This will be his first autumn,

the first ever in the whole world

to a doggy, and thus, I guess,

his restlessness:

big paws in the leaves,

trusted teeth on dry wood,

cotton ball head,

tail like a plume he flies,

waking suddenly into triumph.

---

Jesse Miksic is a graphic designer and writer living in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He spends his life writing poetry, ruminating over philosophy and pop culture, and having adventures with his endlessly patient wife, two awesome children, and hyperactive dog. Recent placements include Pink Plastic House, Moist Poetry, Selcouth Station Press, and Hearth & Coffin. His work and musings can be found at @miksimum on Twitter and Instagram, or www.miksimum.com

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