For all those who know
that a dog is a dog
but still some dogs are
always more special
than the others.
My dog's traits
If my dog
didn't have
a mind of his own
I would not insist
on dogging him down
to his leash
The wag of my dog's tail
defines his affection
but a look in his eyes
betrays
sturdy stare
at a cookie in my hand
The collar around
my dog's neck
is not enough
to choke him to obedience
but it does give
his nakedness
a civil dress
Caught between
impulse and restraint
my dog insists on playing
with my hand in his mouth
only to give me
a taste
of his toothy love
For someone
as sensitive and touchy
even to
birds' chirping
or ringing of a bell
it is amazing
how deaf
my dog is
to his own thunderous bark
Dull as life can be
for my dog
watching squirrels
run around
excitement takes over him
in the middle of night
when he decides to practice
his throaty bark
I wish some mornings
my dog would forgo
his agenda
of territorial conquest
and let go of his smell trails
to appreciate
my sincerity
in walking him
without getting into
a tug of war
All four legs up
scratching his back
to his heart's content
on the lawn
is my dog
aware of my envy
for his drudgery
and
my masterly limitations?
Neither a fast run
nor a slow step
of deception
have not helped
my dog
catch a squirrel
but over the years
he is humanized
only to know
the essence of
neglect and attention
If my dog was allowed
to do his own thinking
and have a say
in dog�s manual
not only would he let go
of �stop , stay and no�
he wouldn't insist
on moderation
in the comforting conditions
of his domestic environs!
There are few things among others
similar
between me and my dog;
like being smart and dumb
at the same time;
getting carried away
in appreciation
only to be cornered
each time
in the same spot.
As I watch
my dog
absorbed in chewing his bone
he gives me
his matter of fact glance
raising his brow
in question
dont i make too much
of his expressions?.
� Copyright Uma Asopa 2002