Two Dogs

The new neighbor has two dogs—

Big, beautiful German shepherds.

They look so much alike that the neighbor
     Has them wear colored western-style hankerchiefs

Tied around their necks to tell them apart.

They do little all day,

Romping around the property,

Sitting on their perfect haunches

Watching everything. 

They are silver grey, color of German steel.

They sit on the grass, and

Suddenly because they are free

They run upon the newly cut autumn grass.

Question: why does the neighbor want

To tell them apart?

--September 21, 2013