POEMS by Charles Albano


DEAR HELOISE

I need your best advice
About my doggie, Buster Brown,
Who never listens to me
And has got me feeling down.

This snarling, snapping coil-spring
Sports a knife-sharp set of teeth,
And is always quick to use them
On all ankles within reach!

And I'll never understand
Why he chews expensive things,
Wrecks furniture and carpets
And punctures collar rings!

He's spoiled and feeling proud,
Because he's taught ME how to heel,
By barking extra loud,
Until he gets a bigger meal!

Can you tell me what to do--
I'm afraid I've reached wit's end.
My neighbors say, "Get rid of him!"
But Buster is my ONLY friend!




THE DINOSAUR IN THE DUMP

Now, I don't really care
What the other kids may say
About the thing I saw
In the dump late yesterday--
A giant dinosaur
Eating garbage up like hay!



Go ahead and tease me
For making a mistake,
But when it caught my eye,
I felt the whole earth shake!
It took my breath away
And made my belly quake!

I ran to find a phone
To call the State Police,
To tell them that I saw
A VERY VICIOUS BEAST
Snapping its great jaws,
Chewing everything in reach!

They said, "We are on our way;
Wait by the telephone!"
I had to, I was scared,
Too scared to leave alone.
Then they followed me back in,
And they heard the monster groan!

They drew their loaded guns
As it raised its head and mane--
"Hey...that thing's no dinosaur....
Kid, what's wrong with your young brain!"

In their searchlights, then I saw,
It was just a wrecking crane!

Copyright © Charles Albano, 1999. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Albano's web page: Adaptive Leadership