Doggerel

Found in the recent clear-out: apparently penned during some long gone, unproductive day at the office.

my inertia is a dog

a gloomy hunkered down hound

immovable by good intentions

put this part of you on a chair

and talk to it therapists may tell you

face him

what? this daft creature?

with the big floppy ears?

this soft velvety clown?

this is my nemesis?

heaving and hauling on his lead gets us nowhere

perhaps if I gather him in my arms then

and give his downy nose

a kiss? this? this

is the inertia that dogs my days?

the obstinate beast of self-sabotage?

dandle him cosset him

hug him close until he stops straining against me

and he’ll stagger to his feet

and wag his tail

and we’ll stride off together

I’ll throw a stick

lightheartedly

and he’ll lumber after it

but always the fear

that he’ll sit down again

heavily

his ears his bottom

are so near the ground

my inner gloomy hound