O, well may you laugh
at my goggle-eyed stare,
or my carved walking staff
to traipse down the stair."

I’m the first to admit
that I plod like a loon
and waddle a bit
over shoreline, up dune.

But just don’t complain
about paws painted blue,
camouflaging in vain,
that you stepped in it too.

               8 November 2023