He was a giant black dog
wooly from toes to eyes
— if he had them —
and every morning
on my way to school
at the end of the street
he would race down his driveway
…..growling
………..non-stop
……………full speed
………………..and full bark
full enough to scare anyone
most especially my 11-year-old self
who hadn’t quite figured out
what to do with her monsters yet
except run, run, run.
Then His name is Sam,
a voice yelled from a dark, dusty window
in the gray house set back from the road,
Sam, it rolled down the driveway
and across my path, a magic coin,
a power token, password — SAM
and I knew exactly what to do!
The next morning, I bravely stood,
hands on hips and waited
David me for Goliath he
at the end of his driveway
waited and waited and waited
until Sam came out,
…..charging
……….non-stop
……………full speed
………………..and full bark
SAM, SIT! I yelled as loudly as I could
SIT, SAM, SIT!
And then he sat.
And I did too.
First monster vanquished. Level up!
©2020, Jen Payne. National #NaPoWriMo. National Poetry Writing Month. If you like this poem, you can read similar in my books, available from Three Chairs Publishing on my ETSY SHOP. They come autographed, with gratitude and a small gift.
randomactsofwriting.wordpress.com 
8 replies on “1 – Level Up!”
Sweet.
Thanks. : )
I love this! It really made me smile. :)
Love this!
Thanks! : )
LOVED this one.
Thank you! : )
Reblogged this on powerfulwomenreaders and commented:
April 1st, today, is the beginning of National Poetry Month. Here is a great poem from blogging friend, Jen Payne.