Call It

Bella notta. The dogs
     And their stereotypes
On a date are in love.

Night, so long ago
     Now, just as it begins
Again. What will I dream?

More than I will recall,

     Less than the in-between
Has to say re such dreams.

There was a time. Scotties
     Talked to other canines
As Americans thought

Scots might talk to Scotsmen.
     Disney ran the planet.
Sputnik scared McCarthy.

(We're not attempting truth
     In history here: we're
A little bit weirder.)

A cocker-spaniel might
     Be innocent as Eve.
Frank Sinatra might

Serve model for a mutt.
     Italians added vowels.
Cats were evil Asians.

Life made sense except when
     It terrified children.
Everything and nothing

Has changed since then. We are
     Your own dreams, if you please.
If you don't, we won't please.