Ankyra Sound in memory of sniffy cole

another gurgle.
another fragile shell.
his stomach knots at all this salt,
all this meager meat 
that barely holds his bones together.

he hears rather than sees
a lean figure pull from shadows
her eyes lamplight and curious
he waves his tail,
a sniff;

hoping in that childish way
that this stranger of the night
might take pity upon him
and show him the simple kindness
of polite company
and a warm meal.