http://www.wordnik.com/lists/poetrie-nelson-my-dog.xml by Gary Soto <br /> <br />Like the <a href="/words/cat">cat</a> he <a href="/words/scratches">scratches</a> the <a href="/words/flea">flea</a> camping in fur. <br />Unlike the cat he <a href="/words/delights">delights</a> in <a href="/words/water">water</a> up to his ears. <br />He <a href="/words/frolics">frolics</a>. He catches a <a href="/words/crooked stick">crooked stick</a>-- <br />On his back he <a href="/words/naps">naps</a> with legs straight up in the air. <br />Nelson <a href="/words/shudders awake">shudders awake</a>. He <a href="/words/responds">responds</a> to love <br />From <a href="/words/head to tail">head to tail</a>. In <a href="/words/happiness">happiness</a> <br />His front <a href="/words/legs">legs</a> march in place <br />And his back legs <a href="/words/spark">spark</a> when they push off. <br />On a <a href="/words/leash">leash</a> he knows his <a href="/words/geography">geography</a>. <br />For your sake he <a href="/words/looks">looks</a> both ways before crossing, <br />He <a href="/words/sniffs">sniffs</a> at the sight of a <a href="/words/poodle">poodle</a> trimmed like a hedge, <br />And he <a href="/words/trots">trots</a> the street with you second in command. <br />In the park, he <a href="/words/ponders">ponders</a> a <a href="/words/squirrel">squirrel</a> attached to a tree <br />And he <a href="/words/shovels">shovels</a> a paper cup on his nose. <br />He <a href="/words/sweeps">sweeps</a> after himself with his <a href="/words/tail">tail</a>, <br />And there is no <a href="/words/hand">hand</a> that doesn't deserve a <a href="/words/lick">lick</a>. <br />Note this now, my friends: <br />Nelson can account the <a href="/words/heritage">heritage</a> of <a href="/words/heroic dogs">heroic dogs</a>: <br />One, <a href="/words/canine">canine</a>s lead the <a href="/words/blind">blind</a>, <br />Two, they enter fire to <a href="/words/rescue">rescue</a> the child and the child's toy, <br />Three, they <a href="/words/swim">swim</a> for the drowning, <br />Four, they <a href="/words/spring">spring</a> at the thief, <br />Five, they <a href="/words/paddle">paddle</a> ponds for the <a href="/words/ball">ball</a> that got away, <br />Six, for the <a href="/words/elderly">elderly</a> they walk <a href="/words/side by side">side by side</a> to the very end, <br />Seven, they <a href="/words/search">search</a> for <a href="/words/bones">bones</a> but stop when called, <br />Eight, they bring <a href="/words/mud">mud</a> to all parties, <br />Nine, they <a href="/words/poke">poke</a> among the <a href="/words/ruins">ruins</a> of a burnt house, <br />Ten, they <a href="/words/forgive">forgive</a> what you dish out on a <a href="/words/plate">plate</a>. <br /> <br />Nelson is a <a href="/words/companion">companion</a>, this much we know, <br />And if he were a <a href="/words/movie star">movie star</a>, he would do his own <a href="/words/stunts">stunts</a>-- <br />O, how he would <a href="/words/fly">fly</a>, <a href="/words/climb">climb</a> the <a href="/words/pant legs">pant legs</a> of a <a href="/words/scoundrel">scoundrel</a> <br />And stand tall <a href="/words/rafting">rafting</a> on white-water <a href="/words/river">river</a>s! <br />He has <a href="/words/befriended">befriended</a> the <a href="/words/kingdom of animals">kingdom of animals</a>: <br />He once ran with <a href="/words/wolves">wolves</a> but admittedly not very far, <br />He <a href="/words/stepped">stepped</a> two paces into a <a href="/words/cave">cave</a> and peeked at the <a href="/words/bear">bear</a>, <br />He <a href="/words/shelter">shelter</a>ed a kitten, <br />He righted the <a href="/words/turtle">turtle</a> pedaling its <a href="/words/stumps">stumps</a> on its back, <br />Under the <a href="/words/wheeling stars">wheeling stars</a> he <a href="/words/caravanned">caravanned</a> with the mule, <br />He <a href="/words/steered sheep">steered sheep</a> over a hill, <br />He wisely let the <a href="/words/skunk">skunk</a> pass, <br />He <a href="/words/growl">growl</a>ed at the long-bearded <a href="/words/miser">miser</a>, <br />He joined <a href="/words/ducks">ducks</a> quacking with <a href="/words/laughter">laughter</a>, <br />Once he leaped at a <a href="/words/pheasant">pheasant</a> but later <a href="/words/whine">whine</a>d from <a href="/words/guilt">guilt</a>. <br /> <br />Nelson's <a href="/words/black nose">black nose</a> is a <a href="/words/compass">compass</a> in the wilds. <br />He knows <a href="/words/nature">nature</a>. He has spied <a href="/words/spires">spires</a> of <a href="/words/summer smoke">summer smoke</a>, <br />He circled <a href="/words/cold campfires">cold campfires</a>, <br />He <a href="/words/howl">howl</a>ed at a <a href="/words/gopher">gopher</a> and scratched at the moon, <br />He doctored his <a href="/words/wounds">wounds</a> with his <a href="/words/tongue">tongue</a>, <br />He has <a href="/words/pawed">pawed</a> a star of blood left in snow. <br />He regards the <a href="/words/fireplace">fireplace</a>, the <a href="/words/embers">embers</a> like <a href="/words/blinking">blinking</a> cats, <br />This too we know about Nelson. <br />True, he is sometimes <a href="/words/tied">tied</a> to <a href="/words/parking meters">parking meters</a> <br />And sometimes wears the <a href="/words/cone of shame">cone of shame</a> from the vet's office. <br />But again, he is happiness. <br />He presents his <a href="/words/belly">belly</a> for a friendly scratch. <br />If you call him, he will drop his <a href="/words/tennis ball">tennis ball</a>, <br />Look up, and come <a href="/words/running">running</a>, <br />This <a href="/words/muddy friend">muddy friend</a> for life. When you bring your <a href="/words/nose">nose</a> <br />To his nose for something like a <a href="/words/kiss">kiss</a>, <br />You can <a href="/words/find yourself">find yourself</a> in his <a href="/words/eyes">eyes</a>. http://www.wordnik.com http://www.wordnik.com/words/eyes Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:29:26 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/eyes http://www.wordnik.com/words/find yourself Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:29:23 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/find yourself http://www.wordnik.com/words/kiss Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:29:20 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/kiss http://www.wordnik.com/words/nose Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:29:17 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/nose http://www.wordnik.com/words/muddy friend Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/muddy friend http://www.wordnik.com/words/running Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:51 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/running http://www.wordnik.com/words/tennis ball Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:46 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/tennis ball http://www.wordnik.com/words/belly Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:39 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/belly http://www.wordnik.com/words/cone of shame Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:31 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/cone of shame http://www.wordnik.com/words/parking meters Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:23 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/parking meters http://www.wordnik.com/words/tied Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:18 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/tied http://www.wordnik.com/words/blinking Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:12 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/blinking http://www.wordnik.com/words/embers Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:07 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/embers http://www.wordnik.com/words/fireplace Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:28:02 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/fireplace http://www.wordnik.com/words/pawed Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:27:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/pawed http://www.wordnik.com/words/tongue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:27:20 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/tongue http://www.wordnik.com/words/wounds Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/wounds http://www.wordnik.com/words/gopher Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:53 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/gopher http://www.wordnik.com/words/howl Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:49 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/howl http://www.wordnik.com/words/cold campfires Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:44 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/cold campfires http://www.wordnik.com/words/summer smoke Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:39 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/summer smoke http://www.wordnik.com/words/spires Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:34 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/spires http://www.wordnik.com/words/nature Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:27 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/nature http://www.wordnik.com/words/compass Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:22 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/compass http://www.wordnik.com/words/black nose Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:17 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/black nose http://www.wordnik.com/words/guilt Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:26:10 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/guilt http://www.wordnik.com/words/whine Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/whine http://www.wordnik.com/words/pheasant Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:51 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/pheasant http://www.wordnik.com/words/laughter Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:46 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/laughter http://www.wordnik.com/words/ducks Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:41 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/ducks http://www.wordnik.com/words/miser Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:36 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/miser http://www.wordnik.com/words/growl Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:32 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/growl http://www.wordnik.com/words/skunk Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:25 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/skunk http://www.wordnik.com/words/steered sheep Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:25:03 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/steered sheep http://www.wordnik.com/words/caravanned Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:56 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/caravanned http://www.wordnik.com/words/wheeling stars Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:51 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/wheeling stars http://www.wordnik.com/words/stumps Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:46 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/stumps http://www.wordnik.com/words/turtle Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:40 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/turtle http://www.wordnik.com/words/shelter Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:35 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/shelter http://www.wordnik.com/words/bear Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:30 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/bear http://www.wordnik.com/words/cave Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:25 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/cave http://www.wordnik.com/words/stepped Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:20 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/stepped http://www.wordnik.com/words/wolves Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:16 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/wolves http://www.wordnik.com/words/kingdom of animals Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:11 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/kingdom of animals http://www.wordnik.com/words/befriended Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:24:05 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/befriended http://www.wordnik.com/words/rivers Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:58 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/rivers http://www.wordnik.com/words/rafting Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:54 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/rafting http://www.wordnik.com/words/scoundrel Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:48 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/scoundrel http://www.wordnik.com/words/pant legs Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:44 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/pant legs http://www.wordnik.com/words/climb Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:38 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/climb http://www.wordnik.com/words/fly Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:33 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/fly http://www.wordnik.com/words/stunts Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:28 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/stunts http://www.wordnik.com/words/movie star Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:22 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/movie star http://www.wordnik.com/words/companion Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:17 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/companion http://www.wordnik.com/words/plate Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:12 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/plate http://www.wordnik.com/words/forgive Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:07 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/forgive http://www.wordnik.com/words/ruins Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:23:03 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/ruins http://www.wordnik.com/words/poke Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/poke http://www.wordnik.com/words/mud Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:52 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/mud http://www.wordnik.com/words/bones Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:47 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/bones http://www.wordnik.com/words/search Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:43 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/search http://www.wordnik.com/words/side by side Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:38 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/side by side http://www.wordnik.com/words/elderly Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:33 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/elderly http://www.wordnik.com/words/ball Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:22 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/ball http://www.wordnik.com/words/paddle Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:16 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/paddle http://www.wordnik.com/words/spring Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:22:00 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/spring http://www.wordnik.com/words/swim Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:52:30 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/swim http://www.wordnik.com/words/rescue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:52:14 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/rescue http://www.wordnik.com/words/blind Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:51:59 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/blind http://www.wordnik.com/words/canine Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:51:48 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/canine http://www.wordnik.com/words/heroic dogs Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:51:33 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/heroic dogs http://www.wordnik.com/words/heritage Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:51:19 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/heritage http://www.wordnik.com/words/lick Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:51:04 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/lick http://www.wordnik.com/words/hand Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:50:12 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/hand http://www.wordnik.com/words/tail Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:50:03 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/tail http://www.wordnik.com/words/sweeps Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:49:57 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/sweeps http://www.wordnik.com/words/shovels Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:48 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/shovels http://www.wordnik.com/words/squirrel Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:41 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/squirrel http://www.wordnik.com/words/ponders Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:36 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/ponders http://www.wordnik.com/words/trots Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:29 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/trots http://www.wordnik.com/words/poodle Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:24 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/poodle http://www.wordnik.com/words/sniffs Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:17 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/sniffs http://www.wordnik.com/words/looks Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:11 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/looks http://www.wordnik.com/words/geography Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:06 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/geography http://www.wordnik.com/words/leash Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:48:00 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/leash http://www.wordnik.com/words/spark Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:54 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/spark http://www.wordnik.com/words/legs Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:48 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/legs http://www.wordnik.com/words/happiness Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:43 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/happiness http://www.wordnik.com/words/head to tail Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:37 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/head to tail http://www.wordnik.com/words/responds Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:31 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/responds http://www.wordnik.com/words/shudders awake Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:26 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/shudders awake http://www.wordnik.com/words/naps Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:19 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/naps http://www.wordnik.com/words/crooked stick Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:13 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/crooked stick http://www.wordnik.com/words/frolics Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:07 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/frolics http://www.wordnik.com/words/water Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:47:01 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/water http://www.wordnik.com/words/delights Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:46:56 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/delights http://www.wordnik.com/words/flea Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:46:51 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/flea http://www.wordnik.com/words/scratches Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:46:45 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/scratches http://www.wordnik.com/words/cat Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:46:37 +0000 http://www.wordnik.com/words/cat