Playa del Carmen teems with animals.
Pigeons, seagulls, myna birds.
Lizards, turtles, coatís.
Also, unclaimed dogs and cats.
Which lure Liora at every turn.
To stop, croon, pet them.
Cradle their woeful voices.
Their complaints, problems, hungers.
If I could, I’d carry each one home, she moaned.
And she meant it.
For Liora’s heart is big,
full of empathy.
Ready to embrace all strays
with love and charity.
Lynn Benjamin
February 24, 2024