So, the new poem (it's really quite new...maybe just 2 weeks old) - it's about dogs...and people. I suppose it's probably about people most of all...but written with dogs in mind. I did start with the usual intentions of writing a big, serious meaningful poem (no really, I did!) but I'm not sure how well that has worked out (again...). For a start the rhyme fought its way in ('go on, go on' it nudges 'you know you want to...') and then of course there's the scratching and the drooling and all that. I still think it's big, serious and meaningful...but I'm not sure anyone else will. Ah well...what it is to be misunderstood.
On myspace I even put a newish photo of our current pooch underneath the poem. I won't repeat that here (there was a photo of her back here already) but I will remind you of a car sticker I saw in Arbroath not long back (have I quoted this already...stop me if I'm boring you...):
It made me laugh out loud in the street (as you do)...but it was probably big, serious and meaningful to its author.
Here's my poem – at least Titus should like it...
We are dogs
We are dogs
In cars
Some go growling
Hear them revving
See them straining
To be first
Others panting
Tails adrooping
Fixed on exit
Tired by thirst
We are dogs
In queues
Always hungry
Sometimes drooling
Short on patience
Long on push
Others chilling
Watching others
Somehow smiling
What's the rush?
We are dogs
In bed
Snoring fully
Yet more drooling
Scratching freely
When required
Seeking comfort
Warmth and heartbeat
Sleep our one god
When we're tired
We are dogs
At heart
Prone to fighting
Needing structure
Self-control poor
Love to share
Inner puppies
Think of skipping
Old dogs work hard
Guard the lair
We are dogs
Outdoors
Out and sniffing
Wandering merrily
Things smell better
In real light
What's the problem?
What's tomorrow?
What's my name again?
Oh yeh, right
RF 2009
p.s. This is nothing to do with dogs but keep emailing me links or small mp3 files of your 'by heart' poems if you record them, won't you? There's no deadline...just if/when you manage it. I just received Sorlil's so please welcome Marion McCready reading “To a Poor Old Woman” by William Carlos Williams. You can read the text of the poem on her blog too.
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20 comments:
I'd like to hear you read this one, it's begging to be read aloud!
I might just do that. I'll try and get the dog to join in too.
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Yes, Titus does like it and I have read nowhere that rhyme is not allowed in big serious poems - go with the sound, that's why it's pushing you. "Things smell better/In real light" were the lines that made me really think.
And the inversion of Cowper's famous/infamous:
My dog? what remedy remains,
Since, teach you all I can,
I see you, after all my pains,
So much resemble Man?
is a point well made.
Mortified to admit I am also a dog in a car (first four lines of that stanza).
And please do read it.
Oh, it's lovely- and quite serious, I thought!
And so, could the reverse be true- dogs are us?
:)
Thanks Titus...go with the sound...I do...I will.
And yes to all, we are animals of course - we are them, they are us. We like to forget it ('we're so different, we're so clever, we have electric hand-driers and toasted sandwich machines...') but that just makes us animals with an awful lot of tools. I always love that look from a dog that suggests 'what the hell are you doing now, crazy human?'
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Nice work all!
Oh Rachel, sometimes the dogs look at me in utter disgust as if to say,"Look you walk up right. Can't you figure out how to fix things for heaven's sake?!"
I still haven't a) added you at MySpace b) memorised what I said I would or c) erm, lots of other things!
I shall attempt may of those lots of other things tomorrow. But it's bedtime. :)
Oh, and I don't particularly want to go to sleep with Duran Duran in my head! Thank you. :o|
(Word verif: gorelad)
This made me smile out loud, and I'm no dog lover.
The bumper sticker is a version of the original - 'The more I see of people, the more I like dogs' - by early 20th century essayist E.V. Lucas. However, the quote is also attributed to Mme de Stael, the late 18th/early 19th c. French (actually Swiss) woman of letters.
Not a lot of people... I'll get my coat.
It's a family joke that I'm a bit gullible...so I'm not sure whether to believe you or not Dick! I'll have to go and look it up...not sure where...
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Well the de Stael quote is “the more I see of men the more I like dogs” apparently. A slight difference...
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yes, i agree with Sorlil, do make a recording, pleeease :-) such a marvellous rhythm! it is so witty and funny and deep at the same time, serious yes, don't doubt that...
i adore the last stanza, especially.
I'm with Sorlil - I'd like to hear this too (actually, in my head I think I could hear you reading it as I went). I loved it!
Kat
P.S. I have something for you at 'Keepsakes' Ha verification is "pugnesse" I don't normally call these to anyone's attention, but lately yours are so apt.
Hi Roxana...Kat...
Been a busy weekend but I will try to do a recording soon.
Glad you like it.
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I like the driving, short and snappy lines in this poem. It reminds me of a small dog on the run sniffing everything.
Thanks for visiting me. Thanks for the link Kat.
Ah yes, short and snappy...like my Mum's old cairn terrier (RIP)...
Thanks for calling in too, pup. This is getting to be quite the blog of dogs!
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That is a serious poem pretending to be flippant, that's what that is. Puts me in mind of Hilaire Belloc.
Thanks Dave. You're spot on. I think.
And I loved Belloc poems as a child.
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Hey Rachel. Love the doggy poem. Its very difficult to do dogs without straying over to the wrong side of sentimentality but you have succeed without a sniff of the s word.
Thanks Frances. So many s words come to mind when thinking about dogs...good to avoid them all when possible...
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