the well mannered husband or dog

i see the neighbor

with her new dog on the corner.

well brushed,

with an ascot around

his neck and collar.

he's been

trained by the Old Town School

for dogs.

he graduated last

week with honors.

he knows

a hundred commands,

not just sit, heel, beg,

or roll over.

but he fetches things too.

sings on cue,

and with just a hand

signal will howl at the moon.

but we make eye contact

me and the dog.

and i can see by his wink,

like me,

he has an escape plan

too.