TWELVE PAWS

My two feet
stumble
all the time
Veering off paths
Taking the wrong ones
stepping on briars
and thorns
My two feet
Trip over themselves
Get stuck in my mouth
get stomped on
But if they manage to make it home
or whatever this place is
after every long day
I remember why
they keep trying
to forge ahead
anyways.

There are twelve paws
waiting right inside the door.
Waiting to play,
to go for a walk
to turn over and get a belly rub
Waiting to stand still and listen
and to shake my hand
Twelve paws that walk all over me
and kick me while I'm sleeping
Twelve paws that
traveled
a journey of a life time with me
and have stayed by my side
like no others
Twelve Paws
give these two feet
solid footing
and a reason
to continue
on the path.