Squinted eyes peer through parted drapes
The darkness ill-illuminated in suburban streets
A half-hearted growl escaping bared teeth
Indecision
Unable to determine if the approaching shadow
Is friend or foe
Body tense
Neck hairs standing on edge, tail curled in agitation
Short, rapid breaths escape
As a palpable anxiety rises like the wafting steam from earl grey
Stray streak of street light
Revealing friend
Neck hairs relax
Tail wags
Body still tense
Rather from anticipation than fear
Familiar smell saturating the room
As keys unlock the impenetrable barrier preventing affection
Is opened
Before the door is even fully open
Wagging tail becomes running feet
Padded paws and overly-long nails echoing loudly on vinyl floors
An exclamation of exasperated noise escaping the target
Of furious licks and joyful barks
Large limbs enveloping
Wiggle excitedly
Panting
Following friend further into domicile
Continued expression of affection as you both settle
Into prime cuddling position
Curious eyes turn to where someone else is expected to walk in as well
But they fail to appear
Cocked ears
Tilted head
Strong hands grasp weathered cheeks
As sounds come out
Indecipherable
The words never making any sense
But the tone of voice comprehensible
The favorite smell
Slowly fading after each sleep
Still hasn’t strengthened again
Empty longing for that scent of older friend
Waiting
Waiting for its return
Until then
This friend gives really good butt scratches
The darkness ill-illuminated in suburban streets
A half-hearted growl escaping bared teeth
Indecision
Unable to determine if the approaching shadow
Is friend or foe
Body tense
Neck hairs standing on edge, tail curled in agitation
Short, rapid breaths escape
As a palpable anxiety rises like the wafting steam from earl grey
Stray streak of street light
Revealing friend
Neck hairs relax
Tail wags
Body still tense
Rather from anticipation than fear
Familiar smell saturating the room
As keys unlock the impenetrable barrier preventing affection
Is opened
Before the door is even fully open
Wagging tail becomes running feet
Padded paws and overly-long nails echoing loudly on vinyl floors
An exclamation of exasperated noise escaping the target
Of furious licks and joyful barks
Large limbs enveloping
Wiggle excitedly
Panting
Following friend further into domicile
Continued expression of affection as you both settle
Into prime cuddling position
Curious eyes turn to where someone else is expected to walk in as well
But they fail to appear
Cocked ears
Tilted head
Strong hands grasp weathered cheeks
As sounds come out
Indecipherable
The words never making any sense
But the tone of voice comprehensible
The favorite smell
Slowly fading after each sleep
Still hasn’t strengthened again
Empty longing for that scent of older friend
Waiting
Waiting for its return
Until then
This friend gives really good butt scratches