It’s good to be a dog
if you’re in a loving family
and you’re a dog
I saw that manifest today
(maybe I should say dogifest
no dogmatic doggerel
that would be worse than bark or bite)
when we went to the marina
or lagoon or side of the Bay
or whatever you call it
(I’m new in town)
I saw the dogs driving up
their heads leaning out
of the car window tongues lolling
go here! go here!
doors open leash off
and they run like crazy delirious
down to the sand and water
dogs from all directions
of the parking lot
all sizes colors breeds
making new dog friends
they pass each other romp
the joy of living in movement
sometimes they’d come up to me
get personal or rear up
to put their paws on my chest
and try to lick my face
how so like people I thought
the joy of making friends
not of course
the getting personal or
putting paws on the chest
or licking the face
but you know what I mean
dogs are straightforward
honest open no guile
they put up with us
letting us put up with them
not like cats who know
they’re the ones in charge
dogs are eager to share and fetch
bring us things we didn’t even want

and thinking more about dogs
I’m on a roll with dogs
I see some people dress them up
as if it’s the dog who has the fashion sense
and parade them around
to show that they can
and make them do tricks
so the owner can be master
and fill the need to control
something in their lives
and I think of children
whose parents treat their dogs better
or treat the children like dogs
sit up obey don’t speak unless
you’re spoken to
the same in schools
where teaching forces the way
don’t question don’t talk back
sit shut up obey
and I think how many dogs
don’t even get to not lead a dog’s life
and the children who don’t either