The Little Dog's Rhapsody in the Night

He puts his cheek against mine

and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I’m awake, or awake enough

he turns upside down, his four paws
     in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent.

“Tell me you love me,” he says.

“Tell me again.”

Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over
he gets to ask.
I get to tell.

--Mary Oliver (1935-2019), American poet,  from Dog Songs

Image: Brodie joins our family, Jan. 11, 2021