SETTER by Bruce Deitrick Price

Late afternoon, on the edge of
an interstate, where it cut through
a neighborhood, this red setter
stretched out by the white line
looking as if he's asleep. No
blood, not a mark on him, just
this beautiful dog lying in
strong slanting light, cars
passing a few feet away.

I want to stop and drag
him from the road but
I'm going sixty-five so
I drive on, thinking of
the family, especially the
children, waiting for that dog
to come home.