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My Canine FriendJackie McElroyEvery day, heʼs there,at the house on the corner.His face is always the same,calm and wrinkled over the years.Creamy colored, with two brown spots,one over his right eye, one on his back.Heʼs been there for everything.Taylor CrowWhen I learned how to ride my pink bike,with the bell on the handlebars,he watched me as I wobbled by.When I fell, he just sat there with his eyeshanging over me.So I kept trying,until finally, he lifted his head.As if to say be knew I tried my best.When I walked home cryingbecause my friends didnʼt show up at my basketball game,I rounded the corner and there he was,lying on his bright blue mat beside the fencewith his head perched delicately on his paws,and his face so reassuring, that he brought a smile to mine.Somehow, I knew everything would be okay.When I jogged to the high schoolproudly wearing my new bright yellow backpackbecause I was so excited for the first day,he was there as I strode by, wishing me luck.Yesterday, I was wandering around the blocktrying to find ideas for my poem.He was there, my friend.And he had helped me again, to write this poem.But this morning he wasnʼt there.Tears welled in my eyesas I stepped on my neighborʼs worn welcome mat.They answered the door, and the words they saidwere no surprise.“He was old.” they told me.“It was time for him to go.”Now every day I see that empty blue matguilt creeps over me.He helped me so many times,but I never took the time to thank himFood for ThoughtCaitlin ClaytonNo idea what to doCannot think of what to sayJust watching you look.I find you brokenI canʼt sew you together,As only you can.What was is over,Thereʼs nothing to be said,I just watch you hurt.Live your life for youNo one else can tell you howTo live your own life.Now I am with youNow we can be together,Now and forever.The smile on my face now.The one no one can take off.Who knows where itʼs from?afterglow 15