Marley Mu came into my life when life was
     dragging
and while teaching her how to pee in the right
     place,
eat without too much slobber
kiss me without stopping up my nose
she made me see that life is always
wonderful
it is only us
who
get off track
&
cannot see
the magic.

We were together
thirteen long years,
good years,
& she was my
teacher.

All her life
I knew where she was
every night
except two.

There were many who loved her.
And even one night when she
was lost
her sweet spirit sent her rescuers
to find me.

I will miss her, the Marley Mu
who came to live
with me
& yet
one other thing
she taught
is that
there is only one
Mu
& so
I learned
that she is the sweet
black Lab
—on the beach
in the street—
still
coming
lovingly
to greet
me
everywhere.

Alice Walker Mu—June 13, 2008