under/not under

you try to take the upper hand
always on the look-out
ready to jump if you see
an opportunity

it could be
an extra cup of coffee
some washing up
why I want to go out to buy buns

a nineteenth century photo shows
when Goya first painted El Perro Semihundido
on the walls of his Quinta del Sordo house
the half-drowned dog had its eyes fixed
on two birds fluttering above him

spirit guttering I’ve been stuck
but I’m not going under