The Tandav of life

Stiff-tailed, biting noon air
a muddy yellow cat's-paw
of cold rabid dread
it passes me,
pattering left,
on two tap-dancing paws

Lurching right,
wobble-legged
toppling onto its back
in an empty-stomached width
of shade
a common cur
maddened
by the Tandav of life

Refusing to die
a dog's death.