-the little ones-

big dogs appear to enjoy

walking with their handlers

more than do little dogs.

big dogs trot along
aloof in their shining coats

and when they want to stop

it always seems okay with the people.

the people seem interested in what
big dogs are doing at these stops along the way.

little dogs are yanked by the neck

before they’ve had a chance

to complete the task at hand.

their little feet run in triple-time trying to keep up.

their leashes are short, giving little lead.

they’re out of breath.
their narrower tongues are drying out on the march.

the chubby pug openly annoys the doberman.

the people are perplexed at their constant anxieties.

this poem is an honorarium

to the walk-alone, stand-alone, run-alone house cat
now sleeping on the couch, as much as it is
an exposé on walking the stupid dog.

and yelping dogs wake the sleeping people

in the middle of the night, cats don't,––

unless they're fighting or making love.

a cat person. Swansea, present day.