Sam was Drunk Last Night

Sam was drunk last night.

You could tell 

by the late night 

      emails 

he was sending

They didn’t make 

much sense

He was worrying 

about

         things 

already passed

that he could no longer

do anything about 

and it kept him awake

and he knew it was silly

so he sent his

    apologies 

as well

but he was 

worried

just the same

But I just 

laughed

because I know

you don’t have to 

be drunk 

to catch yourself

looking behind you

for what has already

passed you by

Ken Owen 

Van Niddy Press    April 2018

Dirty Looks

(The Importance of Napping)

My dog gives me 

dirty looks.

I’m sure of it.

If I cough or sneeze 

while he is sleeping

and startle him awake

he’ll quickly lift his head 

suspend it in mid-air

and just stare at me

thinking the thoughts

of an exasperated dog

then he’ll slowly lower

his head back down

and heave a deep sigh of frustration 

at having to start his nap 

all over again 

from the beginning 

and if I should make

this unpardonable sin

more than once in a session

he will slowly rise up and

find himself a new spot 

to continue his nap

undisturbed

while silently cursing

his bad misfortune 

in having to deal 

with such insolence.

I understand completely.

Ken Owen

Van Niddy Press  April 2018