Lavender's Dungeon

My best friend doesn’t lie

He listens

Leaning his heavy head

into my bony arms

He doesn’t hide away

He greets me every day

with a wide grin

and follows me from room to room

as I decompress

Casting off my problems

like clothing items

Sometimes he’ll pick one up

and we’ll get lost together

in a wild game of chase

Sometimes I come home crying

when the world is too heavy

As I wrap my arms around him

I can feel his slow breathing

and he doesn’t say a word

He doesn’t need to

I know he understands

I feel it in the deep sighs

that erupt from his massive chest

My best friend doesn’t need

parties

substances

social media

He is perfectly fine indulging

in the simple things

long walks

swimming in a cold river

and a cheeseburger from the drive-thru

The best moments with him

were running through the trees

to our favorite swimming hole

Falling asleep with him in a forest

Listening to music in the car

Watching him grow into his ears

And through these memories

I am reminded to enjoy a simpler life

Eat good food

Embrace the wonders of the earth

Travel often

Look out the window every once in a while

Listen closely

and know when it’s time to go

Love,

Lavender Dustan

@lavenderdustan on IG

1/3/23

In memory of the best dog in the world–Hank.