Stage craft for my dog
     meant following the scent of liver,
Delivered to the tune of “come Toto”
I dressed in black, portraying an alter ego, green-faced and lusting for revenge
     Cruel in her use of power through poppies, magic and monkeys
“You and your nasty little dog” I chanted night after night
     snatching up my little pup as if she were fodder for a witches caldron
     cringing that I should say such words to my little furry love

Winnie took naturally to the stage
Type cast at adoption’s first glance by my thespian step-daughter
     I waited in the wings for her chance to claim her fame
And fame came as eager interviewers plied the director for information
     about the canine actress taking the floor
“Is she well treated?” animal watch-dogs barked
Audience members murmured “I came to see the dog”
A star glowed over her giant leopard-spotted throne

For a mournful divorced step-mother
     who had longed to be a theatrical duo with one of her daughters
     Winnie took the stage and trotted to triumph

                                                                                                            October 25, 2017
                                                                                                            Pamela J Holm