[Martin Elster]

The Girl, the Dog, and the Ogre

Trekking homeward after work,
She doesn’t see the ogre lurk,
Much less his mad and twisted smirk.

The ogre doesn’t hesitate;
Leaps at her female form as straight
As a tiger at an ungulate.

When, suddenly, a canine, loose,
As large as any horse or moose
Leaps hard and puts his teeth to use.

A ghostly dog, his hair a-bristle.
Under her breath the girl says, “This’ll
Teach you!” Now she hears a whistle;

It’s coming from the kitchen. The pot
Of tea her ma put on is hot.
That strand of dream’s a locked-up thought.

She turns and sees her puppy snoozing.
Her dread, like steam from the tea infusing,
Has dwindled, though it was bemusing.

She yawns and stretches. Then the pair
Heads to the kitchen. Sitting there
Midst cups and plates and silverware

Sits the ogre by the table, smearing
Cream cheese on his toast, and leering —
A mien that looks far from endearing.