POETS FORUM

LITTLE FELLER

That little feller standing there

With four short legs and lots of hair

Will fight biggest dog around

Because his judgment is unsound.

And though a stranger’s at the door

His tail starts wagging all the more

Because he’s planned a cunning trap

To jump into that stranger’s lap.

And when I travel far away, I need a place for him to stay,

And there are times he is a pest,

So why do I think he’s the best?

Because I look into his eyes Then all at once I realize He’s given me a gentle shove

Into a sea of puppy love.

— Don Crowson Deceased

EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE

I always put a leash on her So she won’t run loose.

But I still can’t control her,

To try to is no use.

She has the leash around my legs

In about a half a minute. I guess she thinks I’m a top And it’s her duty to spin it.

She is just a little toy poodle; Tho small, she’s very stout. She pulls so hard on the leash

I feel she’s going to pull my arm out.

If she’s not on the leash, She’ll run to the road or woods.

She won’t come when I call; Tho, she knows she should.

So to keep her safe from harm,

I hang onto her tight;

And sometimes, believe me, It takes all my might.

— Becky Townsend Benton

A GRANDCAT’S LOVE SONNET

When in-laws came, I prissed in on white toes

And meowed loudly—not one to withdraw.

I eagerly nudged their chins with my nose

And patted their cheeks with a padded paw.

Their hands gently caressed my silky hair.

I did what I could: twitched my teasing tail,

Kneaded their arms and purred without a care, Blissfully dozing till a startling wail!

The baby’s cry interrupted my dreams.

Loving arms and coos no longer for me—

They hurry to the baby when it screams.

Doors close and my cries are an unheard plea.

But, wait! Does baby have nocturnal tugs?

I mew in harmony and hope for hugs.

— Liz Faulkner Little Rock

RUFF

I had a dog when growing up and I had raised him from a pup.

He proved a valuable asset, it meant so much to have a pet.

Ole Ruff and I, we caught bad guys.

We both were runts, just pint size, but big enough, a giant threat.

It meant so much to have a pet.

We traipsed around our neighborhood rescuing damsels, doing good, and saved a cat, lest I forget. It meant so much to have a pet.

Ruff had a heart as good as gold, but through the years ole Ruff got old.

For lessons learned I owe a debt, it meant so much to have a pet.

Today, I share that love in me and thank ole Ruff for my degree.

This graduate became a vet. It meant so much to have a pet.

— Dennis Patton Alexander •••

To submit for publication, send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002 or patton_dr@hotmail.com.