Man's best friend

A poem about devotion, loyalty and companionship.

A little bat & ball, is good for one & all 
but who would join me for a game? 
Perhaps my next door neighbour 
would kindly do me a favour 
so upon his front doorbell, 

was my finger's aim! 

"Ah the pleasure would be mine 

but now is not the time,

alas with you, I cannot play, 
I have just this hour,

to mow the lawn and wash the car 
call back some other day"! 

Although a tad downtrodden, 
I thought all off a sudden 
with my skipper I shall call !
"Have you lost all sense of reason 
it's long past was the cricket season"
and off he went to play football !

Now somewhat sadder, 
an idea made me feel gladder 
I'll ask my good lady, the wife !
"Do you think I have nothing better to do 
than stand in a field and throw a ball at you, 
be off and cause me no more strife"! 

Now my mood was low, alone I'd have to go 

as usual was the trend,

without obliging, human friend 

Then at my leg a tug, I glanced down the the rug, 

standing there with ball, for my attention his urgent call,

none other than my old dog Fred !

And it was plain to see, as he looked up at me 

through devoted eyes, this is what he said... 

"Throughout all mankind, a true friend is hard to find 
your neighbour maybe busy,
your skipper thinks you're crazy 
and she cannot always be there for you, your wife! 

So day or night just call my name, 
I'm always up for any game 
through triumph and disaster, 
I will for you my master, 
gladly fetch your cricket ball 
and of course that's not all, for You ! I'd gladly give my life'!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poem. Good to have a companion on a warm day.
"Do you think I have nothing better to do
than stand in a field and throw a ball at you
Be off and cause me no more strife"!
The above is my favorite. Thank you for the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Tom]

Thank you poet Coyote !

[Fabian G. Franklin]

So wonderfully true and heartwarming; the unconditional love of a furry friend. I've always loved babies and animals. It's when grown humans act like babies and animals that I must make my exit from their company. This was wonderfully written. I enjoyed. F.

[Tom]

Thank you Fabian we sing from the same hymn sheet for sure!!

[Marie]

What a very beautiful story you have narrated in this magical poem, Tom! I remember the days of playing with bat and ball so well. My dad made my bat for me from timber, it was very heavy, but I loved to play on the street, standing on the footpath and batting the ball against the front wall of the house. I love how your lovely dog came to the rescue and played ball with you, bless Fred and you too, dear Tom. Those days of childhood innocence are treasured memories now. They will never again be repeated. It is so very true what they say about 'Man's best friend', the unconditional love they give means they literally would die for you. A lovely tribute to Fred and days gone by. I so enjoyed reading, Tom and thank you for sharing. Ps/Hope you will be back very soon, I am missing your lovely poetry more and more with each passing day, dear friend...

[Tom]

Hi, hi my dear friend Marie, first of all huge thanks for your so relatable, endearing review, yep, when our human counterparts swill ometimes let us down our canine besties never will!
Taking some time out, met with my uncle at the very sad loss of youing borthers funeral, he has a farm so been making up lost time helping him & son ( my cousin) with sheep, cows, horses, and of course lots of chickens, ducks, geese & guinne fowl ... Ber round your way soon tyo catch up, looking forward to read whats new on your always poetic page!"!!

[Marie]

Hiiiiiiiii Tom and thank you so very much for your very kind comment. I so agree that our canine besties will never let us down.
Deepest sympathy on the sad loss of your dear cousin. He is in a better place now, bless him. I am delighted you are helping out your dear Uncle and Cousin on their farm. Enjoy, dear Tom. Looking forward to your return! Missing your beautiful poetry, my dear friend and your presence on the site too... Thank you again, Tom...

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Tom… a 💜 heart-warming story. Man’s best friend… until the dog’s Mate has puppies.🐶 tenderly, Pat

[Tom]

Thank you Patricia 🐕‍🦺🐩

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Tom,

I can truly relate to this piece of heartwarming Poetry ... Friends are known to desert you ... Wives are known to nag you (wish my late wife was here to nag me now) ... But dogs remain your dependable friend for as long as they live ...

I saw a joke online some years back that said: "Take your wife and your dog and lock them both in the trunk of your car on a sweltering hot and miserable summer day, and go inside where it is nice and cool ... Have a cold Beer ... Come back an hour or two later and open the trunk of your car ... Who was it that was happiest to see you: Your wife, or your dog? ... LOL!

Marve

[Tom]

Ha, you're on good form today Marvin, mighty craic, and thanks for going back and looking this one up, 'tis one of my seminal writes here in the cafe! 😄

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

Yeah, the sad part about the few real writing sites that we have left is that Poe could have written The Raven four years ago, and just average to mediocre stuff currently, and not a single person is inquisitive enough to go back through a member's pages and search for the gems they have written in that past that may of speak of Eddie Murphy's "What Have You Done For Me Lately!," but are just as valuable as the latest write that any of us can pen and/or contribute ... Later!

[Tom]

Yep, seems to me that with the exception of a few writes, poets etc are remembered, hightlighted, even lauded posthumously, and that's at very least a grave pity!

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham]

I agree ... And, I'll shut up ...

[Tom]

Gotta love our canine companions, thanks for dropping by and your thoughts Sami..

[Sami Khalil]

An awesome poem on "Man's best friend". Like you said:" Those devoted eyes". You know how to use the right words and descriptions sir Tom.

[Tom]

Gotta luv our canine companions, many thanks Sami!

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrrr. You are both awesome and welcome.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, a dog will always have time for you when others don't. I very much enjoyed your story here Tom, expressed to perfection. I also love the image you posted of your four legged friends. All good wishes.

Chris

[Tom]

Though three years late, many thanks for your visit, read and review Chris 🧐

[Chris Shaw]

You are very welcome Tom :))

[Neville]

I thought I would pay these fine words another visit Tom & guess what.. I enjoyed them just as much this time round....

[Tom]

Thank you Neville 🤗

[Neville]

A pleasure Tom and all mine :)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

LOVE this! Exactly true, lovingly and eloquently written homage to ‘man’s best friend’...delightful tone, form, cadence and rhyme as always...So glad Fred was there for you! My succession of dogs have saved my life, all of my life. They have been and are my guardian angels. I salute them and always you my friend. Excellent write!

[Tom]

My sincerest thanks Annette, you reviews are always so well articulated and humbling, thank you again my friend!

[Einstein Noodle]

love it ..lifts my spirits on high ... nothing can compare to a truly "good" dog .. as you can see in my avatar ..Bella the wonder dog will even tip a pint wi' me when all the "buddies" are busy and gone ;) love your poem ... our pets deserve the very best we give them as they always come through and give us so much more
E.

[Tom]

Shocks E. only for Annette's most recent review I might have missed your fine appraisal and appreciation, my sincere apologies and kind thanks good Sir!