the watchdog (John 11:33)

he comes
      on padded feet,
   sniffing the wind,
         recognizing the
         smell of the
      Threatening One
            who would
            steal away
         his best
              friend,
      snarling and
          nipping
        at its heels,
             until
      Azrael slinks off
          into the
        shadows;

then turning towards
     the stone, he
   barks quickly
       that all is
       safe, and
    waits (with
      joy in his
         heart)
   for Laz
     to come
out.

(c) 2014  Thom M. Shuman

Thom