The Boxing Ring
I watch him
from my chair
as he saunters
through the room
in no hurry
he stops
his eyes lock
on his brother
lying in his path
it’s a stare down
until one blinks
he chins the floor
front legs flat
backside straight up
tail wagging
ready!
he pounces forward
raises up
like a Lipizzaner
brother leaps sideways
nips at his heels
oh, it’s on!
they tackle
roll
tussle
growl
oomph
freeze again
stand up
on their back legs
like two boxing hares
two-foot hopping left and right
front paws scrapping
in a full-force show
until they hear the crinkle
of the treat bag
because Dad is leaving for work
they come to attention
straighten their haloes
sit like perfect angels
by their better-behaved brother
until rewarded
treats in mouth
they head off
to three separate corners
of the ring
because
when it comes to treats
they don’t play
Common Threads 