Best Familydog Poems
It's seven AM and we're in the kitchen.
Elizabeth, 8, and Kirby, 9, her Portuguese Water
Water Dog who's never been to Portugal--
doesn't know he's Joe E. Brown, 40s' famous
film star reincarnated in a curly, black dog
suit, wearing Joe's celebrated, ear-to-ear grin
Elizabeth's in the pantry, 5 shelves up,
searching for a snack. The good stuff's on top,
except for 1 peanut butter Chocolate Chewy,
divisible by 2. The TV's on, bringing Big Red
Dogs (not black ones), along with "George
Shrinks,"a super down-sized hero for
Viewers Like Us. Kirby begs for treats
with teasing little barks. Elizabeth's Sprite
has lost its fight like her Nana in the morning
who needs stronger than that. She's
Granny Shrinks who needs 40 more winks
before peanut butter Chewies, Day-Glo
cartoons, and Joe E. Brown hi-jinks.
After months of debate, Ma and the kids finally won out.
Alas, Pa, who wanted to go fishing, lost the family bout!
"We're going across the country to visit your mother-in-law!"
At that dismal prospect, Pa abruptly dropped his jaw!
Pa offered other alternatives but received little compassion,
So he scanned the maps and the trip he began to fashion.
With mountains of luggage and room for the dog and cat,
He calculated he'd need a U-haul truck to carry all of that!
On the road Ma and the kids babbled excitedly nonstop.
Every few miles the kids exclaimed, "We need to make a potty stop!"
Adding to the pandemonium, the dog and cat began a heated contest!
Pa's limited patience that day was really put to the test!
"Are we there yet?" asked the kids every hour on the hour.
"No!" snarled Pa, his demeanor ever growing more dour.
"Cheer up! Mother will be delighted to see you my dear!"
"OK", he muttered, "I'll try to be a bit nicer to her this year."
At last they arrived at Grandma's amid many hugs and kisses,
Pa still pining to go fishing, while Ma and her Mom reminisces.
Concocting cogent arguments for a fishing trip come next year,
Pa is already salivating and preparing all his gear!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
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