dog in the car

the dog in the car
laps
his tongue at the window.
let's out a bark.
the doors are locked,
the owner somewhere in
the strip mall.
a crowd gathers,
some in tears, we have
to save this dog.
where is the owner they
chant,
someone lights a torch
another
ties a rope into
a noose.
we have to save this
dog, they yell.
get a hammer, break
a window. they don't see
the bowl of water,
or that the car is running,
the air conditioning on.
finally the man
returns and they chase
him around
the parking lot,
catching him, then teaching
him a lesson
by beating him
with their handbags.