helter skelter

the locomotive tethered to my arm
thinks he could take that squirrel in a race
without a yip of warning or alarm
he's stretched out at a gallop, giving chase.
Were I but on a skateboard, or on skis
his energy might save me from some sweat
but running helter-skelter through the trees
I'd like a drogue-chute to arrest this jet.
A fleeting circuit of the local park
to stretch our legs a bit, perchance to train
him not to lunge at squirrels, or to bark
at times, I'm like a puppet on his chain.        
he's eager to impress me that he's good
could I but make myself well-understood.