by Lisa Timpf
"Look, Mom," Nessie says
and her mother Tashu turns to watch
as Nessie teaches her candroid dog
a new trick
unbidden, a memory:
Tashu tossing the tennis ball
for her German Shepherd Tuffy
his feet pounding across the grass—
real grass—
of course, Tashu tells herself,
real dogs have their drawbacks
and she smiles as she remembers
the spit-soaked ball
the pong of wet fur
the mucky paws
besides, there's not much space for dogs to run
on a colony ship
"Shake," Nessie says
the candroid lifts its left forepaw
placing it in the girl's hand
Tashu nods encouragement
through a haze of tears