Quotes from Joseph Duemer

She passed the needle to the doctor And for once I knew what to do And held her head against mine. I cleaved to that smell And lied into her ear That it would be all right. The veterinarian, whom I'd fought About when to do this thing Said through tears That it would only take a few minutes As if that were not a long time But there was no cry or growl, Only the weight of her in my arms, And then on the world. - Bruce Weigl in the poem May