RELAY DOG

She scoops a stick, bounds forward
tail arcing excitement overhead
as she snuffles, drops stick

for twig, flips it upward
twists to catch, turning
her head as she lurches forward

drops it to sniff and grab
a chunk of log, carries it aloft
despite its bulk, pauses

to place it groundward, one paw
holding it firm, the other
her; catches sight

of a fully dressed branch, leaves
the log for this new delight
crossing the threshold of home
head held high, eyes alight.

swb