It is shy of 5 a.m.
The neighbor’s dog will not stop barking.
His repeated chants are maddening, like an icepick driven
Deep into the depths of my brain.
His pitch is high, his volume on max,
Like the inconvenience he’s causing, too.
How can such a small animal have such a large voice?

I shut my window,
I fluff my blanket and pillows.
I take a sip of water.
Patiently, I close my eyes
And wait to fall back asleep.

It is shy of 6 a.m.
The tubby cat on my pillow is purring.
His loud musings fill the room with song,
And the space inside my head with pure love, joy.
His fur is soft, his head warm
Like the heart he’s heating, too.
How can such a small animal have such a large voice?