DEATH Poem: Be at Ease, Laika, by Skyler Carman

I lived on the streets of Moscow
Man’s best friend
My loyalty unwavering
The greatest soldier in the cold war
Your fire cooked my food
Provided protection and shelter
From the winter of Russia

By the river
You caught fish and messages in bottles
If not you, then the enemy
But I do not understand war
You trained me for battle
But you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
I don’t know how to shoot a missile

Stay
You taught me how to stay
I know that
And my desire to make you proud
I was the good and faithful servant
A good girl
You fed me a treat

Stay
You asked me to stay
it was dark
But I will do this for your love
This felt like the dances
you made me do in the centrifuge
I know I will get a treat after this
I am a good girl

It started to scorch
Embers dashed my chin
The heat reminded me of you
How you took me in
When I was near frozen
Something feels off
My teeth start to melt from my barking
How will I consume my treat now?

Did I fail you?
It’s been hours
I hope this wasn’t my fault.

Was I a good girl?