The black Saint Bernard casually
leaned out the second story window
with his paws hanging loosely
as he rested his forearms on the sill.
He would look down the street
to the left for awhile
and then calmly turn
and look down the street
to his right.
His gaze would fall on me as he turned
but there was no recognition.
I stood across the street
watching him, watching the drool
occasionally fall from his lip
to the steps below
as he took in the street.
And all I could think
was how in the world
was he going to pay the rent
if he just hung out like that.