Your Dog Loves You by Abby Proctor

I bled out on your front lawn.

I foamed at the mouth, screaming "Do what you want to me!”

I thought you’d see how loyal I am.

I wrote your name a hundred times on my mirror.

Someone told me that might work.

I sent you a picture of me bare as I was born.

I hoped you'd say I was beautiful.

I spent a month's rent on the payphone to call you.

I guess you were just busy.

I lashed myself on the back for three hours when you got upset.

I know you hate it when I’m bad.

I waited outside your house all night until the sun rose.

She could never protect you like I do.

I saw you two together and I imagined every bad thing

that could happen.

A falling anvil or a giant piano.

Maybe a rabid woman running on all fours.

I lured her into an alley and did what I had to for love.

No one else would go this far for you.

I wore her face on mine and crawled into bed next to you.

I nuzzled my wet face into your neck and sniffed your soft hair.

I love you forever,

and I'm not going back to the pound.