Love Isn’t About Saving by Angela M. Carter

As my dog lay dying, I didn’t turn away from him,

even though his insides hung outside,
and my father’s hands pulled desperately on my wrists,

Darlin’, don’t look at this. You don’t want to see this.

I stayed

when the truck driver removed his baseball cap,

through my dog’s high-pitched whimpers,

while the crimson river of liquid fire widened
on the soil beneath my praying knees.
I stayed
when he snarled and bared his fangs at me.


Darlin’, nothing else could be done.

It was the first time I’d witnessed my father cry;
the second, for the death of his mother.
I’ve let half of myself die
to see one tear be dedicated to me.

Love is the dying dog;

comforting what you cannot save
staying,
while the ivory teeth sink into your tendered hand,
Love isn’t about saving; it’s staying,
As your insides turn out.

         Darlin’, nothing else could be done.

Angela M. Carter is an author, poet, novelist, motivational speaker, spoken word performer, visual artist and an advocate/activist. Her first collection, Memory Chose a Woman’s Body (unbound CONTENT, 2014) is a poetry memoir, which spotlights the effects of the silences endured after abuse, neglect and depression. Angela is a 2014 Pushcart Prize nominee, nominee for the 2015 Virginia Library Literary Award (poetry), and has been featured in a multitude of venues, including The KGB Club in Manhattan and Busboys and Poets. Her publications include Silver Birch Press, Deep Water Literary Journal, Whurk, Vox Poetica, the Plath Poetry Project, Premiere Generation Ink, City Lit Rag, The Word Ocean, Worst Week Ever, Our Stories Untold, Gutsy Living, and several anthology publications. She is an advocate of the healing ability of the arts. www.angelacarterpoetry.com