Dog-eared to save for later,
to come back to again and again.

And isn’t that what it’s about—
the returning to something good

though worn and witnessed
but feeling like you’re home?

Was it a caution to us of the future unfaithful?
Or a reminder to be forever filled with mercy?

Maybe it’s nothing to do with forgiveness.
I can’t help but think of the dog-eared phrase

and how most never come back
to learn how to love once again.

I think how a dog, loyalty-bred,
when taken off leash, would bolt out a door—

might never return if given the chance
to run.

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