The stillness of the air 

Blankets my sad stare

Neither warm nor cold

But I did have to scold



The dog for running after

People walking smartly

Ahead of us around block

Adults and kids in a lock



A school bus pulled over

To allow child to stove'r

But the lady would not

Allow her to go on spot



The dog tried to catch up

But bus left before the pup

Could get to blinking lights

Glad the driver took flight



Around the corner we went

Damned dog never gets spent

Up the hill she did then dash

Trying hard to catch the slash



In the distance, of two figures

One small, one a little larger

Gave up halfway up the hill

Suddenly the air seemed still



The pace of my stride'd quickened

Now with her pause it slackened

She stood looking back downhill

Waiting for me to get there still



And as I came just about almost level

She turned and marched disheveled

Burrs had caught up in her top-coat

And now she looked at me all agloat



But when I finally caught up beside

She quickened her pace the burrs aside

My steps became so much swifter then

Finally coming within arm's reach when



She suddenly stopped in her tracks

Turned her head and looked back

Quickly I clipped the leash upon collar

And grabbed the burrs with a dollar



Then I threw them deep into the woods

The dollar almost slipped away good

But it caught on the sharpness of my ring

I knew it'd come in handy for something



Returned then I to immediate task at hand

The morning pleasures of a dog who stands

No bigger than a coffee table off the floor

Yet gives so much comfort in or out the door



Whether a sedate morning or lively eve

She's always there to be petted and please

Just by sitting quietly and so close at my side

A wonderful companion who doesn't go and hide



Christopher W. Thomas

9:05am Friday 11/21/97