Jack Returns

His tongue was drooping from his mouth
his tail wagged as he whined
I blinked and stared in numb surprise
at the dead dog of mine.

I held my breath and stretched a hand
out to his wispy nose
he gave a sniff and cocked his head
and from the floor he rose.

"Play?" he woofed into my face
a ball dropped on the ground
I snatched it up and let it fly
for that old ghosty hound.

We played until the clock chimed one
and I gave him one last treat
before he slipped back to the grave
the ball left at my feet.

(16 lines)