Dazzling

The Dignified Dogs

The dignified dogs took themselves for a walk,
pink tongues hidden from the midday sun.
Erect and unwagging of tail, free of chains and collars,
they moved in a dignified body, not pausing

to cock a leg on the tyres of parked cars,
not raising a bark at cars passing;
there was no sniffing the trunks of trees for context,
no forward darts of exuberance;

no slapstick, circular persuits of the tail,
no howls at imaginary moons.
There was no reaction to neighbourhood cats
and no slurping fluid from gutters.

Everyone watched the dignified dogs
with curious eyebrows raised.
Someone had the hide to whistle,
but in dignity the dogs walked on by.

A ball tossed provocatively
in an exciting, fast arc
did not distract the dignified dogs.
Shouts of here boy! went unheeded.

The confused people stood
and witnessed the dignified dogs
who moved, with serious, dignified grace
over the horizon and far away forever.