XIV
I try to remember
A summer of my childhood
When I took my terry dog
At the seaside, it was warm and it was
September.
The leaves were still green
And the trees seemed to me
Glorious and free.
I wish I had been
More aware of my happiness
And of the peace we all felt.
I remember the brightness
Of the sky and an old belt
Which I used to carry the toy dog
Whose name was Pierre,
My mother seemed to despair
Because she couldn’t pronounce
His French name.
It was the same
Dog that now leys on my bed
Expecting me to come to sleep instead
Of writing or reading.
I get the feeling
That I’m a child again
When he waited for me in the same
Position, and maybe
He barked to tell me “Good night! ”
And to ask me to stay by his side
Happy and free.