Black Dog

I met a young boy
yesterday
at church
eight years old

he carried around
a stuffed animal
a comfort toy
it was a black dog

and I asked him
if it had a name
and he said
‘Black Dog’

He brings
his Black Dog
to church
just like me
just like you
and he takes it
home again too

this young prophet
holds our truth
under his arm:
the black dog
goes to church

imagine us all
sitting there
listening to the gospel
standing to sing
black dogs by our sides
monkeys on our backs
gremlins in our heads

When we shake hands
and share The Peace
should we also bend down
and pat the Black Dog?