Lovely Penguin

A view of Christmas from behind
a wet nose
By Marie Gordon

I’m just a puppy
Whose furry dreams twinkle
With Christmas wishes
Of colored lights and tasty bones

Slobbery kisses
An eager wagging tail
Make Christmas morning
Chaos, a family tradition

I’ve got a green bow
Tied to my pink collar
That says I’m a gift
With a right to be by the tree

Wagging pine needles
Plunge deep in the white rug
And my filthy fur
Rubs against Mom’s fancy sofa

Nothing makes Christmas
Like pup dander and pine
And loving sneezes
That rub my head and scratch my ears

There’s no present here
Who can lick ‘I love you’
Or scour the tree
For low-hanging gingerbread men

I’m just a puppy
Sniffing candy cane treats
Curled under the tree
Engorged with sugary decor