DOG DUTIES

ONCE WHILE RIDING THE BUS TO WORK,

I NOTICED A MAN AT A STOP ENJOYING

A CUP OF COFFEE.

AS WE APPROACHED THE STOP,

HE FINISHED DRINKING AND SET

THE CUP ON THE GROUND.

THIS NEGLIGENCE SURPRISED ME,

SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE

A GOOD CERAMIC CUP.

DAYS LATER I SAW THE SAME MAN

AGAIN DRINKING HIS COFFEE

AT THE BUS STOP.

ONCE AGAIN, HE PLACED THE

CUP ON THE GRASS BEFORE BOARDING.

WHEN THE BUS PULLED AWAY,

I LOOKED BACK IN TIME TO SEE A

DOG CAREFULLY CARRYING THE

CUP IN HIS MOUTH AS HE HEADED FOR HOME.