It all began with a walking date, chance for dog and horse to mate,
No sooner did the party arrive, greet one another with nod and smile,
Than all wild natures flamed and flared;
And the Dane strode out in half-crazed tear--

A chase erupted with horse behind, and all joined in like perfect rhyme,
Spinning and whizzing into circles of trots, until their paths tightened into tethered knots;

The house burst into smoky flames, and all before were now ashamed;
As sirens of orange rolled into the drive, friends all glad to see us alive--

I prayed on the damp ground, pleading,
To end this ordeal on the lawn.
By TONI ORRILL