August 9: Full of Noises

Past midnight on a muggy August night,

All ceiling fans turned high, windows thrown wide,

The full moon bathing all in silver light,

A silent dog and owner pass outside-

But my dogs think that dog a mortal threat

And with their barking house and home defend

Five seconds later, they’ve cause to regret-

They’re shushed and banished, yet the noise portends

Retaliation from the batty neighbor,

Whose tolerance of dogs is low-to-none,

Arrives in air horn blast, a rattled saber,

But even she has yet to be outd...