big dogs on the chain

the big dog
on the chain, filling
the air
with barks
and growls,
snarls.
it scratches at the dirt,
rubbing it's side
against
the tree.
hardly moving ten
feet from where it's
slept
and paced all
night, all day.
not a word
of love, not a hand
of comfort,
or ball thrown to chase
comes his way.
I know
many big dogs
on the chain.
I keep away.