We’d Go Broke If We Did This All Day

but let’s wait
a few more minutes–
birdsong in the dark
front door wide
Open
to warm day ahead—
this early, cool air
kicks the furnace on.
I write with one hand on the puppy
he sighs,
falls asleep, and I
(the one who pays the gas bill)
Ignore the cartoon image in my head
of dollar signs leaving
while I pet this dozing dog
and let all our heat
pour out into the street
for a few minutes more