Ruthless

once, long ago
a four-legged human
dragged himself up
to the terrace,
on his last mission,
his mouth frothing,
his hind legs limp,
terror and peace
swirling in his eyes
at once,
as he howled
a prayer
one last time
to the black heavens,
while I held him close -
trembling skin and fur,
rocked upon a raging sea,
who churned out
from her wildest depths,
the first sharp breath
of a morning sun,
and the ruthless violence
of dying and being alive,
as he fell against
my sinking heart
and feet.