Chiming Affirmations
By Rhony Bhopla
I.
Where the mango tree blooms
on a hill so steep, the heart aches.
A dog’s body entangles between
tree roots. She comes apart as
minute velocity pushes
her into a constellation.
II.
Plucked from Reggae streets, matted
white fur. I unfurled her,
dipping her in aloe and jasmine water.
We sang daily affirmations of
strength, courage, and beauty.
That day came when she ran, and ran.
The cars came too and knocked her
toward death. I carried her a mile,
and up the steep hill. While her back
was broken, her mighty call for help
thrummed all the cords that held me intact.
Our whimpers became a chant.
My hand over her mouth and nose.
Waited, as I cried—waited as the
blossoms chimed the affirmations.
It is unknown who let go first, but
the body went limp under my hold.
Breath ceased. She had floated up into
the blossoms of the mango tree.
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