The Black Labrador Swims at Lake Pleasant

   by Paula Ashley

Children tucked into inner tubes
laugh & play in the water.
A black Lab swims beside them while
their father drinks beer by his truck.

We eat our sandwiches. Our feet dangle over 
our Hobie pulled out of the water for lunch.
The hot sun falls across our faces
& the wind cools us through wet clothes.

A long, slow wail rises from the water
from the black Lab. The crescendo
pierces the serenity of the summer sky.
Then silence as the Lab rolls over on his side.

The children bawl & scramble to the shore
as their father hauls the dog out of the water
throws it into the back of his truck, squealing
tires, throwing dust & rocks as he drives away.