I Found an Abandoned Puppy

I Found an Abandoned Puppy

It wasn’t the bark that called me near

just quiet whimpers I could barely hear

By the bins, half-hidden, curled and thin

a shivering shape with patchy skin

His ribs were showing, nose was dry

he didn’t lift his head to try

just looked at me with hollow eyes

as if he’d learned the world tells lies

I didn’t speak, just bent down slow

his tail gave one uncertain show

A leaf had stuck beneath his chin

a fly crawled lazy on his skin

I wrapped him in my coat that day

and took him home the quiet way

No fuss, no names, just food and heat

he sighed once, lying at my feet

Now sometimes when the dark is long

and trust still feels a distant song

he finds me with that solemn stare

I wonder who that day left him there