I don't even like dogs. Or poetry.

[chayam]

A tribute to Love That Dog

"We have time for maybe one story before bed," I mentioned to my son.
"Let's read a chapter book!" the girls begged.
Innocently it began, how my children went to bed a full hour past ultimate Bed Time:

I started a book
and couldn't finish.

I tried, at one point, to be an adult. Weakly I suggested we stop. Finish another time.
"No, please, go on!" they cried. "I want to know what happens!"
So did I.
I couldn't stop turning pages.

And then suddenly, we found out
my voice halted
read on
stopped.
"I can't read the rest." With tears welled I handed it to my daughter
who looked at me with trembly teary eyes,
read the ending
and handed it back.

All three children looked at me
expectantly
together
with trembly teary eyes
and halting laughter-
to be crying over this!
Smile-corners tugged downward
Together in this
we laughed and cried
together
my family
an hour late to bed
because of this book.

Love that book.