Sick of strife, I declare myself white flag

So, you come up to me with a tail wag

Dare me to prove to you my tenderness

Challenge me end our war with a caress.

I take your words to heart, hold out a hand

To be friends, a lick, I’ll gladly withstand

I rejoice that our fights will soon conclude

I offer amity but you see food.

I must commend you for being so shrewd

Pretending at peace so you’ll win the feud

‘Twas a mistake, you beg me understand

As if that will spare you my reprimand.

Now, I have learned not to extend sweetness

And greet bloodthirsty maws with bitterness

Then vindictively watch them choke and gag

Tasting the second chance for which they nag.

I have made what seems to be a mistake.

I know how to play dumb, stay and obey

I even know I should shake empty hands

And I am glad to hold them, make new friends

So long as I have not been left starving…

I am so good!

The last time an empty hand reached for me

I’m sad to say since there wasn’t food there

I did not give paw, just opened my maw

And took a bite of the hand that should feed.

It is quite an easy error to make…

I am still good!