Entitlement
You know, I looked up the word.
It means, to qualify for something,
to have a right to that glittering toy,
or a scrap of food;
It means that those in authority
are actually Required to hand over the goods,
whether they like it or not.
Only they don’t say for what.
But when I stand in front of the table
and they throw me scraps,
that must be part of it;
so I pay them back when they whistle or call,
but hesitate (I always do that) a few seconds
so as to arouse them, to stimulate their anxiety,
to make them feel more grandiose,
as though they are accomplishing something important,
and then, when I run back to them,
and set myself down on my haunches
with a smile on my face,
I’ll even raise my paw, sort of to say “how do you do,”
because they like that too,
and, naturally, I get some chewable bones
as another entitlement.