calmed raze she shot out from the undercarriage of a car missing its two front teeth, galloping onto wet grass. she turned when she saw the face looming above the feet that startled her. she doubled back and stood on a crack separating patio stone from driveway. eyes wide. breathing hard and fast with fear. i told her it was only me. we talked. and she calmed down. i lost myself in the cream and coffee swirls of her coat. almost close enough to touch. when she was ready to go, her face asked the question her mouth couldn't speak. she painted her leaving path with one fur-flecked ear. i took two steps back to let her pass, watching her move with no great urgency until she was lost to my tired but grateful organs of vision. 230317 what's it to you? who go blather from