The dog traces his portrait into the snow

as he waits outside a subway station for his owner.

His small, smooth paws draw a circle

with small, pressed eyes and a little button

nose atop an overzealous snout. In waiting,

for his owner, he is an artist, placing his paws

in frigid dust and sketching what he believes

himself to be. Next, he draws a small stomach

and spine, stubby tail, and hind legs. He pauses

abruptly to study his front legs and paws

before sketching them too. He details

the round spot that sits on his back

when his owner finally comes back up

the green steps, mumbling

I missed the train.