All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Twinkle Toes
From the doorway
her beady eyes find me
sprawled across my bed;
hot cheeks,
runny nose,
stinging eyes.
She pitter-patters toward me
to investigate
and ends up
jamming her ribs into my chest,
and her soft tongue
cleans my tears away;
reminding me again
of the innocence
that is my dog.
All four pounds of her
press onto my stomach
and those tiny brown eyes
stare up at me,
begging for a smile,
which I cannot help but give
as her belly warms my hand
and I feel her heart
beat against my own;
reminding me again
of the innocence
that is love.
As rain pounds against the window,
frightened ears perk up
and those same glassy eyes
look to me for safety.
I bring her close,
stoke her gray fur,
and whisper
“I’ll always love you”
into her ear.
It is a familiar phrase,
but today is special
because today she needs me
more than I need her.
She nestles her wet nose
into the pocket of my neck
and shuts her eyes;
reminding me again
of the innocence
that is trust.
We are dancing
around the living room;
a curly tail wiggles,
name tags jiggle,
and all at once
she starts to wheeze.
I scoop her up
and hold her tight,
silently praying
that her trachea opens again
like it always does
when she gets too excited.
At last, peaceful silence;
fresh breaths,
reminding me again
of the innocence
that is fun.
A blue leash tugs me
down the foggy road
and I can’t stop myself
from laughing
at the bouncing silhouette
of a Chihuahua on the other end.
I call her name,
Twinkle Toes!
but she does not hear,
or perhaps she just wants
to keep running forever.
I giggle to myself
and jog close behind;
not worrying about
where we’re going,
not wondering
when we’ll get there.
I just follow the delightful sound
of four little paws on the ground.
And again I am reminded
of the innocence in me.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.