DogSpeak #2

You sleep half as much as I do
which is still not enough but
when I wake for the first time,
no matter what the clock says,
it’s time to get up.

Get up.
I have to go out.
Get up.
Now!

And finally, you get the message.
Trudge down the steps in the dark,
unlock the back door, hold it open
and I bound out like joy is tickling
my feet. Ahh, so good. And then,
tired, I curl up on the deck to fall
fast asleep. I need my 14 hours.

You yawn at the door, see me
do nothing important; you get huffy
and tell me to go do my business.
Sleep is my business and I don’t care
where. As though I need to know,
you tell me it is one in the morning.
Yeah, so? I stretch, get up and race
you to your pillow. I win.

But you push me over, grumbling
about your alarm set for seven
before punching your pillow and
falling into snoreland.

We do this several times a night
until you decide to ignore me. Not
advisable.

Trust me. Before you lumber
mumbling off to work, you’ll be
pulling out the carpet cleaner.
And then I’ll have nine blissful
hours of sleep. I’ll miss you but
have a nice day!

~ J R Turek