Wildline

We Know

Laika, did you know you were love?
Did you know you were our star?
Brighter than the sun, yet never meant to be as hot as it.
Laika, did you know you were a treasure?
Did you know we regret everything?
You were too trusting for your own good, space soldier.
Laika, did you know you were going to die?
Did you know we knew?
Loving and caring and all of the above.
Laika, did you know you were a milestone?
Did you know you moved us forward in history?
Our poor little street dog.
I know.
I know you didn’t know.
I know you thought your malfunctioned capsule was a bed.
I know you thought that glowing,
Blue and green ball in the abyss was a large toy,
Wrapped with a bow, just waiting for you to get home.
I know you thought you had the best life in the world,
And you must feel the stars turning on you by now.
But rest easy, Laika.
We miss you,
The stars call your name,
And your bark is an echo that hits the stars with patience;
Almost as if you’re still waiting for your return,
And that big, shiny blue and green ball.

A Message

I do not aim to hurt.
I do not aim to bite.
I do not aim to claw.
I do not aim to bark.
Did you love me?
That day you picked me up?
Did you have plans,
Or were the stars simply calling my name?
Laika.
I always liked that name.
I always wanted one.
You told me I was special.
Was I really?
I never thought I was special.
I simply did not bark or bite.
I’m not special, I never was.
I was just scared.
I was so hot in there.
Was that normal?
You said I was coming back.
You kissed me on the nose,
and told me “bon voyage.”
What does that mean?
I wish you could’ve told me.
I miss home every day.
This place is colder than I thought.
I do not like it very much.
There is no room for me to chase my tail.
Come get me, please.
I promise I will not hurt.
I promise I will not bite.
I promise I will not claw.
I promise I will not bark.