Basset Cross Blues
Darby Riley
December 22, 2021
Dog Joe whines
at the door
What do you want, Joe?
If not out, then in.
Food, water, a walk,
a pat on the head,
a pee on area flora,
a blanket to lie on,
a bus to bark away,
a weed to sniff and slobber on,
intoxicating!
Another leashed and neutered
brother to nose,
a sidewalk sister to kiss,
a siren to answer
joyfully, mournfully,
remembering distant freedom.
Darby Riley, a native San Antonian, has been married to Chris Riley since 1971 and they have three grown children and a granddaughter, age 6. He has hosted a monthly poetry writing workshop for over 25 years. He practices law with his son Charles and is active in the local Sierra Club.