so much alike

i never had a dog
that listened or obeyed.
one who
fetched the paper,
or sat,
rolled over, played
dead,
begged.
i never had a dog
who
understood
a word i said, or if
he did ignored
me.
walking him
was like walking a fish,
tugging
every way but
straight,
lost in his world
with me tethered to
the string
he was always trying
to break.
so much alike
we were. so much alike.