As on so many nights
And I watch the mongrel
Turn in manic circles
From my first floor window
Wishing it dead
The plan being this
To cross to the flats
Next door and through
Laundry to fence line
And over in one move
Confront the bastard dog
Avoid gnashing teeth
Get a grip
Wring its fucking neck
Then back over the fence
And away
But it all falls apart
Despite the planning
Cos the minute I jump the fence
There he is
Scared shitless
Like me
And I realise
That it’s not his fault
He’s the victim
And so am I
Animals forced to live
In close proximity
Without guidelines
Or agreed upon
Strategies for survival
His fear widened eyes
A human analogue
Of some ancient horror
Like plague or locusts
So I relent
My killing need spent
And withdraw
Defeated again
Both of us trapped now
Awaiting the arrival
Of his owner.
©Shaun Green 2011
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