Written for dVerse Poets Quadrille –
This One’s Gone To The Dogs! The
challenge cooked up by De Jackson is to
write a 44 word poem with the word ‘dog’.
Here’s where the prompt took me.

Yeah, gimme one dog…
lotsa mustard, no kraut,
one dog with ketchup and relish,
and two chili dogs with cheese.
Drinks? Yeah…
an orange Nehi, a Yoo-Hoo,
and a Mountain Dew.
And three pretzels.
Can’t beat a New York City
dirty water dog, kids!
NAR©2026
44 Words
Nancy’s Notes: “Dirty Water Dog” is a NYC inside joke about with how frequently …. or infrequently …. the hot dog vendor changes the cooking water. Some questions are best left unanswered! 🌭 😂
This is “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

A hot dog can be the worst and the best in any city
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And I’ve had both! Thanks for reading, Björn.
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I think I’ll stick with one of those pretzels – with extra salt, please. 😉
Love this, and loved seeing all the street food on our last visit to NYC.
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You might have the right idea, De! When in doubt, better to take a pass. These days I’d be more inclined to go for the pretzel with extra salt myself! Thanks for a great prompt and for stopping by and reading my quad.
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You can’t beat street food, wherever you are in the world! Extra ketchup on mine please.
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That’s a fact and eating al fresco always makes everything taste better!
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yumalicious
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They sure are! Thanks, Ron. 😋
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Believe it or not- Alaska functions on food trucks! Restaurant patronage is so seasonal- most survive strictly on summer business done via food truck.
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I did not know that, but it makes perfect sense. I love a good food truck!
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Yoo-hoo–oh, how I loved that drink!
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Me too, Lois! I bet it would be just as delicious now as it was then 😋
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Oh, I didn’t get to see a Hot-dog stand while I was in New York … maybe next? my friend …
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Oh wow! This really brings back memories of sitting around the TV with my parents watching the Perry Como show! Such a fun song! Wonderful comment, my dear friend 🥰🎶💙
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An oldie but a goodie my friend , 🎶🌏🥰🎶😎
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Since I don’t know any of these things mentioned- I can’t say if it’s good or bad
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They are very good …. in moderation! 😀
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😅😅😅
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What a great take on the prompt Nance – and it sounds tasty too!😀
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They make for an occasional tasty treat, Ange! Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed my quad. 😊
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Sounds yum, nice take on the prompt.
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They are very yum and never taste quite as good when you make them at home! Thanks so much for stopping by.
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What is the significance of ‘dirty water’ in the last line? I’m not familiar.
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It’s a New York inside joke dealing with how frequently …. or infrequently …. the hot dog vendor changes the cooking water. Some questions are best left unanswered! 🌭 😂
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Ah, ok. Not being a meat eater, I never thought about how they are cooked! 👍
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