by Ruth S. Baker

“US schools employ gun-sniffing dogs to curb violence—and bring students joy …
[D]ogs become ‘popular’ safety measure that also has emotional benefits”
—The Guardian

“Popular,” in quotation marks? Perhaps
For fear of finding something simply good
In this—allowing standards to collapse
Till we forget that actually we could
Have something still more popular: safe schools;
But, since we won’t, let’s welcome in the dogs,
Trained and assigned as violence-curbing tools,
Displayed, snouts lifted, in brochures and blogs,
Ready to sniff out guns, and more: the smell
Of panic, of confusion. Children crowd
Around, surprised by eyes of caramel,
Long ears for things that can’t be voiced aloud,
Backs to be stroked, the friendliest of barks:
Bringers of joy (not in quotation marks).