The Naming Of Things

We name him
Rin-Tin-Tin
so he’ll be faithful,
and he is,
so he’ll be brave,
and he is,
so he’ll be intelligent,
and he is.

We enroll him
in school,
children mock
his name,
chase him home,
he bites one
on the leg.

We name his sister
Lassie,
and she is.