black dog

black dog barking
beneath the alley window
master that left you
scavenging for scraps,
on a sunday no less.
close the weathered window,
paint flaking like skin
into the sill – and still
the black dog barked.
pull the covers tight,
chilled for a summer night,
as she barked. and barked.
bleary eyed morning,
nearly kicked you
stumbling out the door,
late for the grind again.
all through the day
thought i heard you,
mind playing tricks,
all in my head they say,
black dog barking.