Adapting

suddenly there were five of us,

four feet and twelve paws in all

sighing, scratching, sneezing,

padding, whining, wagging,

when before there was only two,

two feet and four little tiny paws

with a white tail and furry ears,

a little being who crunched on celery

but mostly kept to herself while

I read my books and wrote poems

quietly, if not always happily.

ear plugs, sweepers, dog bowls,

towels stacked at the front and

back door, poopie bags, all came

with the new family who moved in

so we adapted slowly and not

so gracefully or generously to

the four legged ones and the tall

red-head who was really nice after

all and made it all worthwhile

in the end.