Facing My Fear

Sigh, shudder,
I tremble here
About to face
My greatest fear

Wince, cringe,
I want to hide
As footsteps near
Of the beast inside

Bark, bark!
The silence breaks
I clench my fists
My body quakes

Step, flinch,
I won’t run now
Yet sweat stands out
Upon my brow

A hand restrains
The monstrous thing
That bounds and leaps
As if of springs

Sit, sigh,
Stiff as a board
It’s dragged away
And then ignored --

Bound, leap!
The beast comes back!
I brace myself
For the attack . . .

Slurp, lick.
And that is it.
I breathe a sigh,
Relax, a bit

Stroke, smile
The touch can mend
A broken bond
With man’s best friend.