cosmonaut eulogy

today I’m thinking about Laika

the first dog in space.

I’m wondering if the streets of

Moscow would have killed her faster,

wondering if she was excited to fly

and if she knew there was emptiness

and dust and light hidden above the sky.

wondering if she ever saw space and

if she did was it frightening or did

she think it was beautiful.

wondering if she knew her food

was poison, if she could smell it 

and was afraid. wondering who 

plays fetch with her now that she 

sleeps in between constellations.

wondering if I’ve ever seen her while

watching the night sky.

but mostly i wonder if she was

petted and fed treats and told she was a

good dog

and if she knew what love was.