Elbow Room

a lonely balcony
a cheerless floor
no hanging tongue
no biscuits' store

no scratching doors
with paws so spry
no wagging sweeps
no famished cries

no catching food
up in the air
no tearing toys
and guilty stares

no guests arrive
with faltering steps
no strays pass
with territory threats

fallen yogurt
nostalgic hands do weep
no greedy licks
will spills now sweep

no tugging at heels
no wake-up barks
no on green grass
runs in parks

no trembling head
within my palms
or to the vets'
any dragging qualms

no hungry accompaniment
into the kitchen
no sniffing the air
for appetising chicken

no snooping luggage
no whimpering byes
no acting cross
to left-behinds

no slimy licks
on tickling ears
no head on knees
consoling fears

no expressing love
with possessive growls
no frantic chasing
away the fowls

no sorry licks
follow harmless bites
no bathing tantrums
reveal stuffed-toy white

hearty welcomes
are long gone by
no four-legged dash
to whistles comply

half-chewed slippers
wont grace the feet
no playful frenzy
will pull at leash.....

Whats not is what is
left of you
past joys galore
new pains so few