At Home With Our Dogs Poem by RIC BASTASA

four dogs since the latest one
died hit by a truck when it tries to cross the street
without us watching,

four playful dogs in the house
the only animals who miss us when we are away
the same ones who welcome us
when we are back at home

they say that it is expensive to raise and feed
and give shelter to four dogs in the house
no, no, not at all
they do not go to school
neither do we pay them their salaries for pleasing us
they do not harm at all
and demand holiday pay and other allowances
nothing about retirement schemes
and SSS premiums

there is no problem about betrayal either
these four dogs in the house
if you must know, are our children
since we have none
at all.