Fitting In

The dog went to the head of the line
And asked for directions
And was told
"We'll be lining up in two rows on the sidewalk
And we will enter the gates together"

So the dog tried to find a place in the line
The other dogs all had uniforms
She looked down
Her coat was matted
And she needed a bath
She was ashamed and took a step back
Wanting to be in the other line
But then the other line filled up quickly
and pushed her away

And they all marched in through the gates
She watched them
They looked pretty
Being all alike
And they barked so beautifully in unison
Like one giant dog with many parts

She heard the gate clank shut
And she watched all the dogs laughing and running and playing
From outside the gate

But behind her she heard a sound
Another dog arrived
Older, larger...a bit scruffy...like her
And asked her if she wanted to walk with him for a while

They walked and talked about God and things
The choices they made
The dreams they had
The way they thought the world should be, could be
If we all just loved each other a little bit more

The dog felt a little better
Didn't mind her scruffy coat so much
And placed her head under the chin of the the big dog
I will remember you, she told him.
And he left.

Then the dog lay down on the sidewalk before the big gates
The laughter and barking had grown faint
But she could smell the flowers as the wind blew across her nose

Maybe tomorrow, she thought
Maybe tomorrow they'll let me in.

Love, Cindy
copyright March 2011