city of dogs

often secret lovers
walled limits
places the month
or wound
at the water's edge


narrows led
somewhere
with nothing to give
nothing to learn
just abundance
reminders of opulence
and derogation

dog territory
with too much
repetition of another
other
almost the same
teetering edge

enough for half an arm
and distorted legs
crawling begging
faded half-tones
muted indigos
deaf crimsons
cracked and moldy ochre
reflected decay
in a dialogue of warmth