Greetings

 

She greets everyone differently

And it is up to us to figure out

And squabble over

The hierarchy

Of her affections

Depicted by it

Some, she greets with a smile

And a ready yelp

With which she jumps

In their direction

One could say

This is the height of

Her attachment

Others,

She greets with a shy,

Hesitant smile

And will go to them

In a few minutes

One could say this is

Coyly affectionate

Still other,

she greets by showing them

Something

She is preoccupied with

Something like a book

Or a picture, or a toy

Just a deflection

Or projection

Of affection

A seeking, of attention

One could say

And then there is someone

Or maybe just one

Who she might greet

Not necessarily with a smile

Whom she blithely ignores often

To explore new realms

Or to delight

In play, in society

Or a laugh or a yelp

But looks at

With a desperate yearning

In times of distress

I would like to believe

The hierarchy

Is not settled

By smiles