What does the dog think

What does the dog think

As he tip taps

Around the house

Nails clacking

Against polished wood

This way and that

From front to back

Pausing at

The bottom of the stairs

Waiting.

I feel his expectation

Drawing me down

With his simple

Straightforward neediness.

Take me for a walk

Fill my bowl

Tickle me behind the ear

Show me your love

Get up and come downstairs

I am all alone here

I would come up there

If I could

But the arthritis is claiming

My freedom

To roam where ever I please

But at least

I do have the run of this floor

It is my newly clean,

Freshly hoovered home

Perhaps I will overturn

The waste bin

Eat some silver foil

Choke on a chicken bone

It will bring you down

Quickly enough

But I could do without the hassle

Of a belly ache

So please for goodness sake

Get dressed and take me out.

Perhaps I will

In the fullness of time

We both need the exercise

If only he could tell me

What he really means

We could have a conversation

A defining moment

Of insight

That might

As a consequence

Of its improbability,

Change the world.