Dog Poem by Diana Holinski

I’m the obedient dog
Beside myself
With faithful love for you

You put the steak on the table
And leave the room
“Stay! ” you say
Your hand up like a traffic cop
And I stay, my nose twitching
With the aroma of your New York,
Medium rare

You go away
I pine
I won’t wreck your house or
Chew your best leather shoes
But when you return
I can’t contain my joy

I leap up at you
My paws on your shoulders
Licking your face
Until you order me down

And I go to my “spot”
And when I cast my eyes toward you
My tail wags, ever so slightly
Must remember my manners

You could kick me in the ribs
And relegate me to the garage
In shameful banishment
But when you let me out
I'll go belly up
And writhe for your belly rubs