Three-Legged Dog

By Jude Lally

Your bark is fierce 

When someone knocks on the door 
they may feel scared 
and think BEWARE OF DOG 

You sound so tough 
and menacing 
with your foul howl 
and gruff ruff 

Then as you 
hobble to the door 
to greet them 
you lick their outstretched hand;  
they’re relieved to see 
most likely they could 
outrun your beastly bravado 

Three-legged dog-- 
you prove 
no impairment 
prevents one’s voice 
from causeing an uproar