Aledo's Faith

By John I. Blair

Late at night
When I go out
To scan the stars
My neighbor’s dog,
Aledo,
Growls in the dark
At someone
He can’t see
Or smell.

I say softly
“It’s all right
Aledo”;
And my voice
Soothes him
With remembrance
Of the treats
I gave him
In the daylight.

He trusts my voice
Even though
He cannot see my face.

It’s like religion:
You trust a force
You cannot view
As good things seem
To come
And lives are saved
By trusting.

©2016 John I. Blair