The Tau (Way) of Dogs

The Tau (Way) of Dogs

Little doggies in the dark

Want to go outside and bark

At our neighbors, at the cars,

At the postman, and the stars.

 

From our window they can see

Pigeons, blue jays, chickadees,

Cardinals and finches, too.

Then a squirrel leaps into view!

 

Its movement catches doggie eyes.

Tails are wagging, ears held high,

Scratching at the window panes

Just one thought in their doggie brains.

 

Bounding to the back door, then

Leaping on the couch again.

Excitedly at the door they stand

Knowing freedom is at hand.

 

Waiting for the door to open,

Staring at it, every hoping.

Patient little doggies know

Doors open when they gotta go!

 

Finally, their wish comes true.

They bolt into the morning dew,

Heading for the squirrel trail

Searching for that squirrel tail.

 

Squirrel hears them coming fast.

It scampers up a tree at last.

Doggies sniffing all around,

Noses vacuuming the ground.

 

Giving up on squirrel chase

Soon the two are in a race.

Running through the woods once more

Then they’re standing at the door.

 

Again it opens at their scratching.

At the window they sit watching

For another chance to see

That squirrel scurrying down a tree.

 

Finally, on the couch they lie

Letting out their doggie sighs,

Happy to be home again.

When summer comes, I’ll be like them!

 

They run and play and eat and sleep,

No calendar or time to keep.

No phones to answer, no bills to pay.

I’d say my dogs have found “The Way.”

 

Bea Gilmore

3-17-02