Pitties

Early morning
Overcast holiday weekend
One foot in front of the other
Along a familiar path
Ahead two large brown dogs
Pit bulls
No option to run
No place to seek cover
I crouch
Bracing to die
They run towards me
I am ready
I have no stick
Only my wits
And my own big dog at home
I wait
My eyes nearly closed
They leap and bound together
One jumps at me
I nearly fall over
But I notice wagging tails
Flapping tongues
Smiling dog lips
Play play play they say
Off I say
They obey
Back I say
They follow me
I notice an open gate
Come I say
They prance through into the yard beyond
I slam it shut
Hope it's where they live
And walk on