The Little Dog

The little dog stands alert

looking for something to bark at.

Most of the time there’s nothing

and he is disappointed.

Looking for something to bark at

takes concentration and grit,

and he is disappointed

if he goes in without uttering a sound.

Taking concentration and grit,

he plans for the next time he goes out.

If he goes in without uttering a sound,

there is nothing to be rewarded for.

He plans for the next time he goes out.

Most of the time there’s nothing.

There is nothing to be rewarded for.

The little dog stands alert.

© Julianne Carlile

That Bell

The way the bell
rang on that day
was like a tell
in poker play.

It rang to say
war had begun,
that on that day...
an end to fun.

It rang so loud
and rang so hard
some there were proud
and others scarred.

Who knows for whom
it tolled that bell,
for life’s a tomb,
and hell’s a bell.

©️ Julianne Carlile

2016