When you see me you will not mind me <br />as I seem only small <br />and with my golden eyes <br />I do watch you and wag my tail <br />when you stroke upon my stomach <br />but be careful <br />as I have got a nasty bite. <br /> <br />I am the guardian of the backyard <br />where I hide underneath a wheelbarrow <br />that is overgrown with gardenias. <br /> <br />On the carpet in front of the door <br />the word welcome is spelled out <br />and on a board the names <br />of my owners are engraved. <br /> <br />When my bowl overflows <br />my tail wags by itself <br />and all the dogs in the neighbourhood <br />do envy me. <br /> <br />My master does laugh out loudly <br />when he plays with a ball with me <br />and I do hide the ball <br />when I grow tired of fetching it. <br /> <br />In the afternoons when they do lay down for a nap <br />I am on my post and do continually bark <br />to frighten off any intruders <br />but sometimes I do lie down under the wheelbarrow <br />just to slumber for a while. <br /> <br />People say that I am small <br />but they do not know how sharp my teeth are <br />and any intruders must beware <br />as I am the guardian of the backyard <br />but my madam calls me her lapdog.<br /><br />Daleen Enslinstrydom<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-guardian-of-the-backyard/
