I love to watch the dogs floating on their backs, completely relaxed,
'I'll see you in heaven,' I shout as they drift downstream. They wag their tales and look as if they were smiling. I watch the leaves rip off the trees and fall full weightless upon the river. The dogs are heading out of view. A golden Labrador paddles back to me, and in its mouth is my old dog's ball. It contains a thousand memories of childhood. Before I can thank him, he is on his back, drifting alone back into the sunset, or so I imagine as a man repeatedly punches me in the face and all I can do is dumbly smile.
I'm not a child anymore,
I'm not a child anymore,
I graze my head on the stars, when once your kiss could have commanded me to do anything.
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Doctor Lazarus, a narrative poem, was David Hay’s first published piece. Since then, his work has appeared in numerous journals. His debut novel How High the Moon is out now from Anxiety Press and his debut poetry collection has been published by Ballerini Book Press. His second novel, No Birds Sing, is out late 2026 by Atomic Bohemian Press.