Barking Dogs

It’s Sunday evening, sitting on my porch
Watching people walking their dogs go by
Across the street, a neighbour’s large pooch
Is watching too, but with an evil eye

Jumping and barking madly behind a fence
It is clear that his disposition is quite tense.
He is saying, “this is my turf go away”
The passer-by’s can choose to confront or to obey

A Terrier, like most dogs, stops and aggressively returns the fire
And attempts to engage in a physical altercation
While a Sheppard, as if he is deaf, calmly ignores the ire
With courage and patience, he avoids an unnecessary confrontation

Everyday you and I face too many provocations
Choose not to respond to every such occasion
Be not like the barking dogs but like the good Sheppard And the peace of God will be with you forever