worse than dead

sitting on the third step crying
with his stray dog licking tears from his eyes

his wee heart breaks for the first time
at home

with emptiness as another only friend
holding his shoulders

as if to stop him falling
forwards to hit a worn red carpet

where almost his mothers last steps were taken
on her way out the door

his short life
beginning to grow longer along

now
as silence shushes his stray dogs mouth

full of salt
with water