The Alarm

At first it seemed such a minor thing to me,

But then I came to see that she, my younger

Pup had a genuine fear. While pan frying a

Pork chop for dinner one evening, the fire

Alarm in the apartment was set off. Its ob-

noxiously loud sound frightened my small

One before I could get a chair to stand on

And dismantle the blaring beast which was

Attached to the ceiling. By that time I found

My terrified pooch hunkered down under the

Bed. I coaxed her out of hiding after the alarm

Had been silenced. Things seemed to eventually

Return back to normal until the following week

When I had the occasion to fry another chop for

My evening meal. As soon as she heard the sizzle

Of grease, and smelled the meat searing in the

Pan, my pup ran again for the safety of cover.

No ear-slitting alarm sounded this time, but

Still a fear by sensual association—the sounds

And smells of that one-time terrifying high-

pitched episode is now permanently embla-

zoned into her little mind, I am afraid. And it

Appears as if in the future, I will be eating a

Lot more cold, raw salads for dinner.

Chris Hanch  10-3-15