Old dog blues
He’s been around the block
and even toured the world,
with scars upon scars to show
from many a hard-fought battle.
Yet like many old dogs
in this neck of the woods,
it’s as though he never has been.
The young, sleek and strong
preen and prance all about
strutting their stuff so fine.
His battered snout sniffs out
that they have rarely ventured
beyond their own backyards.
He lays here now curled up
at well-earned blessed rest,
wondering why the young pups
show nary a whiff of interest
in learning his old dog tricks.
What’s an old dog to do
with little bite left to bark about,
and teeth too long or gone ?
Now the only growling heard
is from within his ample belly
while awaiting the dinner bell.
(2014)
