Tristan Robert Lange

Tail Between My Dreams

I always believed in

Togetherness—

To do things,

Regardless of personal interest,

Together,

Because together we were one—

Not a pun—

But how I thought

It was supposed to run.

So, I sacrificed some,

A lot,

Not because I thought it was fun,

But because, hon,

I wanted to be together,

Never tethered but still “in love”,

No matter how weathered.

Since, I have come to learn

That such devotion

Is a third-degree burn.

Support lost lest interested.

I leave alone drinking your silent spurn.

And you know I’m pathetic,

That I’ll return,

A dog wagging tail for treats

Only to find an empty bag

And the back door.

Yes, this ol’ dog

Will return for more,

His bark a yelp,

Reduced to a puppy’s squeal—

Pulled too soon from the teat,

Nourishment gone—can’t feel

Anything neglect didn’t reveal.

© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.

April 25, 2025

East Stroudsburg, PA