through bars of light and shadow
we watch our masters’ faces flicker
through wheels that follow the rails
we have dedicated our lives
to the life you want us to live
learnt to follow commands
leashes, crawl on our bellies
you gain strength from our love
we are the brunt of your jokes
objects of your hatred
you beat us and we whimper
you murder us and we just go away
you abandon us and we starve faithfully
our hunger ringed eyes beg
you to feed us, and you do
because we are so goddamn grateful
our love so intimate
with the food you give us
we eat at your feet
devour your scraps
cast about in your shadow
afraid to leave the house when you are gone
small spirits to emphasize how big you are
we plot the map of your achievement
the boundaries of your life
in our perfect spare time

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