the rules of life

there are unwritten
rules to life.
and many written
ones too.
we all know them.
they are ingrained
in our blood and bones
our consciousness
through
the teaching
and berating of
mothers and fathers,
teachers, a long
trail of schools,
religion too.
society, culture.
politicians. even
a stranger has wagged
his finger at you.
there are rules.
no need to write
them down, to point
them out. you know
and they know
what they are
and this is why you love
your dog so much.