Me and Mick sit on the back verandah
watching our dog Skip chase the ball
every time Mick throws it,
no matter where he hurls it.
I didn’t know Skip could swim so well.
Or Mick could throw the ball
all the way to the dam.
Mick keeps smiling to himself
and I know it isn’t because Skip
gets soaking wet
and shakes dam water
all over us,
the easiest way to cool down in summer.
It’s because of the biscuits,
Mick’s brilliant idea.
Such a simple plan.
The tennis ball
is soaked with dam water
and Skip’s spit,
but no matter how many times my brother
throws the ball
Skip chases it
and brings it back
to drop at our feet.