I love her quiet presence
– wide-eyed and expectant –
she lives each day without self-judgment

She is ready to play at any time,
faithful, affectionate and constant,
she delights in all life has to offer
people keep their distance from her breed
believing them to be vicious
when they merely mirror their human companions
they are mute and misunderstood
Once a mascot for 20th century America,
and even called “nanny dogs,”
Pits can sustain much pain without yelping
The language barrier rendered us speechless
but my Korean grandmother’s love for me was a quiet companion
playful, devoted and boundless