A Dog and His Tale

There was this puppy, young

Small, frisky and perhaps a little

Scared, as any pup.

They cut off his tail

So that he would grow up

Fierce and strong.

Predictably, it grew up

A dog fierce and strong,

Noticeable in any doggy ruckus

or even peaceful throng.

Aggression apparent in the stump of a tail

Always up, ready for a scrap

There was always this flicker

Of apprehension, perhaps fear

In the eyes of anyone who faced this dog.

But, whenever, this dog

Lay down to sleep

To see dog dreams,

Or whatever dogs see

When they are in slumber deep,

Phantom pain throbbed

In the tail that was no more;

Always a small frightened puppy

Who cried for his lost tail,

Whimpering, licking the stump,

Bleeding and sore.