Pads on the blacktop

Pads on the dirt

Same run across my neck at night

Lover’s careless hurt

 

Fingers on the rope

Two wrestle four

Negotiate

What this patrol is for

Smell of fellow dogs

Sight of villain cats

A mark for mark

Canceled tit for tat

 

Pads in the morning fog

Pads in midnight dark

Same ran across my neck last night

Left a big red mark

 

Lips on the maw

Teeth mind the lips

A savored taste

Of red rocket’s tip

A nudge for nudge

The flesh it yearns

It does not care

Of what kith it burns

 

Coarse speech of dog

Coarse howl of man

The dancing partner

Understands

A want to be touched

A want to give touch well

A fine arrangement

This for Hell