A Neighborhood’s Dog
A poem by Patty Morelli
Miss Betty was once the new pup on the block.
She’d sit on my porch where neighbor children would flock.
“Can we play with Betty? Here, Betty, come!”
Round dark eyes dancing, black fur, bright red tongue.
School, winter, summer … time passing, half-flown.
Warm days or wet days, they’d stop by my home.
“We’re going for a walk, can Miss Betty go?”
Then they’d leave with tail-wagging Betty in tow.
Time passed, as soft-brown eyes watched from the gate,
Old friends drove by, waving, late for a date.
“Hey, Betty, good girl!” as they roared on their way.
Miss Betty, head low, found a soft place to lay.
Then one day, with time, there back came her old friends.
With children of children to visit weekends.
“Hey, kids. Meet Betty. Hey, girl, how’ve you been?”
Tail wagging, tongue licking, oh! A puppy again!
