One of the puppies got tangled
In the chicken wire overnight
Suffocating himself in a cold garage

Seven lived
But one suffocated himself
In chicken wire, in a cold garage

Seems there are those
Who only want stories and songs
About the seven –

A major chord progression
Of golden tassels and discipline training
Graduation ceremonies

And then you have everyone else,
Heading home early from the party
To light a candle in the dark

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Pat Hull is a songwriter (Dutch Records) and poet from Northern, CA. His first book of haiku called Field Notes on Love (A Collection of 99 Haiku) was independently published in February, 2021. He teaches non-violent communication and speech communication at CSU, Chico and Butte College.