I like my dog
Because he’s a hero and a coward like me
Barking behind the window
Chest puffed out
Strutting the walk
And talking the talk
But that noise tapers off
Beyond the sturdy front door
Maybe
Sometimes
Giving one mighty heave
In his constant tug of war
He’ll get a whiff of courage
And bolt full throttle
To the source of his desire
Then turn
Assaulted by the backlash
From the anchor
Setting his feet
Deep in the fear of my dog’s brain
His nose gets rubbed in the mud
His tail shoots between his legs
As he notices the glistening fangs
The foot-long claws
And the fire-breathing mouth
Of the squirrel with his nut
Or the rabbit chewing grass
Or the things
Just like him
Barking
A little too close for comfort