O giant dachshund, white blaze on your chest,
Surveying my departure through the glass
Grown hazy from the many times you’ve pressed
Your nose against the permanent impasse,

Why does my leaving stir such staunch devotion?
Did loyalty and love together spark
Protectiveness? Or did a sudden motion
Betray a cat or bird at which to bark?

Yet in her windowed balcony she sits
Accepting my farewells with stoic mien
Above the door that later will admit
Me to her joyful leap and kiss routine.

For love of sweetness that exceeds known quantity,
I will respect your variable dignity.