The Race

'Twas the day of the Big Race
And all through the crowd
A murmur rose from soft to quite loud

The contestants were poised and ready at the starting line
Their wet noses were flaring
From their throats, a low growling whine

The owners in the stands
Were on their feet
Each thinking their dog was the one to beat

Gibson and Rocket were side by side
Both pleased with their positioning
Happy with their conditioning

At the starting gun,
Rocket, true to his name,
Took off with a shot, enjoying the fun

He was round the first curve in 10 seconds flat
He knew he was the leader of the race
So he settled into his smoothest pace

Around the second curve, he flew like the wind
His pink tongue a flag,
His black tail a wag.

He took the third curve, still way in the lead
The spectators had never seen a dog
With so much speed.

On the home stretch, no signs of tiring,
He kept on moving
All thrusters firing.

All of a sudden, he looked behind
He slowed to a stop,
Turned right around, something on his mind.

His eyes were intent
He knew what he had to do
So back to his friend he went.

The other dogs flew past,
Then Rocket and Gibson trotted side by side
Happy to be dead LAST.

for michelle
all my love.
mom