Inspiration is where you find it, no matter how strange it might seem.

In this case, it came from my dog's persistence at communicating his needs - EVERY MORNING. He is a creature of routine, and he has established a solid, yet annoying, habit of seeing how many times he can interrupt me, as I chase the muse.

In this, even our neighborly raccoons have gotten used to him. I therefore have to act as an escort, bearing my porch broom just in case I have to intervene, and use it only as a barrier, should I need too, with a promise of a cookie if everyone behaves.

Trying to ignore his routine, I was reminded of an old old commercial for car oil filters, where Mr. Dirt pops out of a manhole to stare at you, and say, 'Pay me now, or pay me later.' This was meant to imply $5 for the filter, or the price of a premature engine overhaul later. In Maui's case, it refers to a mop and bucket.

I left the syllable count in, on purpose. Poems are literally works of art, and come in all different styles. In this case, I went with the style based upon the count (similar to song writing).

Enjoy!

Vix