Andy and the Hobo

Andy and the Hobo

Jeanette Lauritsen

Mid bird twitter and random flight
Warm breezes shift unheeded through lacey locust shade
When soft growls cut through summer ease.
A warning sounds above the rush of surging water,
Sweeping down the long canal, fingers of dank moss straining to
escape,
Oblivious of the darkly bearded man, shirt sweat-stained and rank,
Slumping down the lane.

The dog growls again.
Dark ears, tufted, soft-lined with tawny fur,
Now wolf-like wary, point toward the lane.
Animal brown eyes, knowing, alive with light,
Meet challenging grey, deep set in a sun-burned face.
Worn, wary man eyes take in the menacing mass of fur,
Full ruff raised, coarse hair rising, bristling, spiking.

Grey eyes challenge brown,
Hold a moment, drop to black nose and lips wrinkled in distain.
Purposeful steps slow, responding to the warning.
The hobo hitches calloused thumbs through tattered belt loops,
Steps forward then deliberately, smiling tautly - testing.
Dog growls deepen, threaten - toothsome grimace now extended;
Brushed tail drops low - quiet now, the menace plain.