It’s winter and the next-door neighbor
wants to take his dog to work, gets
a wagon with a plastic top, attaches
it to a bicycle. They take off.
The asymmetrical cart hydroplanes,
pup is oblivious of itinerary,
destination, hatches for escape,
the unfolding allegory of a peddler
racing icicles against time. Snow blurs
the vehicle lurching down the street.
At night, an email, All went quite
all right, and a photo; golden retriever,
in all her glory, tail wagging, returns
from the office, parked by a curb,
unperturbed, sealed in cellophane
like a good iceberg lettuce.
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