I entered the prison-like building
Inside I walked and walked all around
Searching
until I found
what I was looking for

There he was cowering on the floor
Behind the bars of his little cell
Frightened and shivering
Looking as if he'd been dragged through hell

I was allowed inside
for a closer look
I could see fear in his eyes
as I approached him
He whimpered a little sound
afraid to move
from his position on the ground

I spoke to him softly, gently
Sensing that he need not be afraid of me
He slowly got up and his eyes seemed to plead
that taking him away from here was all he'd need

I completed the paperwork
to release him from this dreary place
and take him home
where, in time, the memory of all this could be erased

He trembled in my arms
as I took him to my car
and we headed home
It wasn't very far

At home he was given a thorough bath
and fed until he could eat no more
I took him outside to the spacious backyard
He stood looking at me, unsure
He had been caged for so long
He'd forgotten how it felt to run free
So I encouraged him to run and chase after me

He first had to test the feel of the new mown lawn
And then he took a step or two
He looked in my direction
waiting for me to tell him what to do

Soon he was frolicking around and around
I would laugh each time he
would drop and roll on the ground

His name was unknown
so I gave him one that was my favorite
And now the name has become
a perfect fit

It's been a year since I brought him home with me
Now he's a permanent part of my family

Copyright©2000 Edie Bael



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