He touched the side of me
ocean eyes
looking up from a
gray face
the alley was his home
shadowed under day
pulsing at night
across his face
a twisted scar
of courage
and half of the
right ear missing
he circled me
shoulders balanced
not a sound from the paws
he was a descendant
from the great lions
of the Serengeti
an alley door creaks open
looking with intent
he leaves me in the
sunlight