Like the cat he scratches the flea camping in fur
Unlike the cat he delights in water up to his ears
He frolics. He catches a crooked stick –
On his back he naps with legs straight up in the air
Nelson shudders awake. He responds to love
From head to tail. In happiness
His front legs march in place
And his back legs spark when they push off
On a leash he knows his geography
For your sake he looks both ways before crossing
He sniffs at the sight of a poodle trimmed like a hedge
And he trots the street with you second in command
In the park, he ponders a squirrel attached to a tree
And he shovels a paper cup on his nose
He sweeps after himself with his tail
And there is no hand that doesn't deserve a lick
Note this now, my friends:
Nelson can account the heritage of heroic dogs:
One, canines lead the blind
Two, they enter fire to rescue the child and the child's toy
Three, they swim for the drowning
Four, they spring at the thief
Five, they paddle ponds for the ball that got away
Six, for the elderly they walk side by side to the very end
Seven, they search for bones but stop when called
Eight, they bring mud to all parties
Nine, they poke among the ruins of a burnt house
Ten, they forgive what you dish out on a plate