Luka Lost

It has been a week
since we said goodbye to Honey.

Luka waits.
At the door.
At the top of the stairs.
Beneath the couch.

Luka has never had to test
her own personality. When in doubt,
she relied on Honey's charm, sad, loving eyes,
and most times, sheer craziness.

Now what?
Moments of uncertainty await.
The moment before a walk.
The moment before a treat is given.
The moment before a pat on the back.
The moment before the car door opens.
The moments during the day when no one is watching
(except those captured by the video camera).

Where there once was chaos
(and in the later moments, loud panting)
a still silence looms.
Where Luka pranced with her head held high, proud,
she now walks paths over and over -
carefully watching her paws hit the ground.
A mindless distraction.

After constant clicking on the hardwood-
After barks of panic immediately upon human entry to the home-
After the joy of rolling in mud, yes mud -
After furious licking upon attention freely given -
After Honey,
Luka,
Like the rest of us,
is lost.