Ah here you are at last
sorry about the guards
I hope they didn't give you much trouble
I was afraid you'd never make it
across the river before curfew
let me take your coats
said the old woman

Thank you
how could we possibly pass up
such a sweet invitation
but let me tell you
said the tulip
when we reach the bridge we saw
the river was full of corpses

A dog too can be afraid
despite an appearance of ferocity
navigating unfamiliar streets
dodging unpredictable explosions
still one persists in one's errand
here we are said the dog
thank you I will keep my coat