The morning that the fast, furry dogs
Leapt over our gate, we hardly noticed their
Paws scrambling over the dry dirt.

They licked our house with their black tongues,
Barked at the bounding cats that basked
In the sun, silken and shining.

We found them wrapped around car tires,
Lapping at lamp posts, pawing through the chain link
Like the squirrels seeking safety in the high trees.

But when we threw the ball back out to sea,
The dogs chased in aching waves,
Taking everything back with them.