Here I sit, upon my disabled spaceship,
Trying again to attain peace of my pieces.
Yet, the almost unstopping everyday yapping
Of one of four terriers who moved
Next door, over a year ago, reigns supreme.

I’m not a Hater! I’m not! But,
I hate that one dog’s terrier voice, that constant
Noise-making to show everyone It is alive!
God, I hate that dog! So, here I sit, mid-morning,
Atop my disabled picnic table, yelling
At a dog next door, to ‘Shut Up!’

Finally, after repeated yellings, telling the dog
I am in My backyard, I can clearly hear
A bird of spring, its tiny pipings of warmth
Envelope my being, listening to appreciative
Racings of rabbits, and noiseless wanderings
Of cats… It’s been almost five minutes
And not a yip has bothered my ponderings…

Ha! Strangely enough, somehow, my
Old flannel coat's sleeve button got caught
On my pocket! I didn’t even know the pocket
Was ripped! I guess its time to go rebuild,
In my house, my spaceship-remaining-disabled,
After I cough, and the dog
Starts re-yapping.

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 2/4/04