My Dog's Walks

I wanted to write a poem about my dog, so I came up wrote a poem focusing on my dog's many walks.

I know my dog’s walks

Whether the

            tap, tap, tap atop laminate

or

            scratch, scratch, scratch on the concrete

or

            thump, thump, thump across the carpet

or

            swish, swish, swish through the grass

 

I know the sound of my dog as she bounds, strolls, prances or walks:

 

Tap, tap, tap

as each paw pops on the laminate,

ending in a slide an thunk

when she sits to beg for bits

of tortilla or chicken

while I cook in the kitchen

 

Scratch, scratch, scratch

as each claw catches the concrete

while she walks me like a sled dog

to sniff out some poo

and track a squirrel too

 

Thump, thump, thump

as the padded paws prance

after the clinker and clatter

of dried dog food into a tin

bowl. Her ears perk up

she takes a mouthful and then

eats it in the living room

 

Swish, swish, swish

as she bounds through the grass

with chaotic power in a controlled

crash toward a squirrel’s tale

now clawing up a tree

or

as she strolls into the backyard,

to sit on guard, eyes and ears perked,

on watch against squirrel kind

while I read a book

then swish

as she slumps and lies down

while her eyes get heavy and

her head rests on her furry folds,

looking noble like a lounging queen

but if I were to call her name,

up she goes.

 

She always wants us to know that she’s our faithful guard, but I know my dog’s walks

she will tap, tap, tap atop the laminate

she will scratch, scratch, scratch on the concrete

she will thump, thump, thump across the carpet

she will swish, swish, swish through the grass

She will always be begging for pets and bits, pulling like a sled dog, prancing to her dinner, tracking like a fearsome huntress, sitting like a stalwart guardian, or lounging like a lazy lady.

 

I know my dog’s walks.