Solo Speaks

(Unhappy canine)

Along with wild rain

and a wayward westerly wind

Diwali swept in last week

holding hands with Halloween

as fireworks blazed brightly

in a dark night sky.

Pumpkin soup simmered

on a back burner while an

orange bucket of haribos

anticipated the arrival of little

trick or treaters.

Though, Solo was far from happy.

She cowered in the corner

her tail no longer flying high, 

left low in the doldrums.

Her hind legs trembled and shook,

the look in her doleful eyes

told me she was terrified,

there's no way I'm going outside

she said.

Deafening noise of explosions,

gunpowder and plots,

I'll hide under my blanket

and pray she said

until all that chaos stops.

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Solo, like other pets, might be the best teacher. Maybe nature told her that’s how to survive.

Your poem reminds me of a story, years ago in Oklahoma or Texas, where recovery crews cleaning up tornado wreckage found a dog alive after about one week. He’d apparently hidden himself somewhere safe.

A wonderful story, well told in this poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert for your visit and wonderful share. Wisdom in what you say.

Chris

[Trace]

Loved it! Made me smile! Very good!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Trace. I appreciate your visit to my page.

Chris

[wordman]

you can`t trick a dog,they are keen creatures

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ron. Happy New year.

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[Blysful]

Aw, poor Solo!

Up until the introduction of Solo into this poem, I was thoroughly swept away by the continuous rush of colourful imagery, the heat rising from warm soup in the frigid air, the vibrant explosions of orange and purple from Halloween and Diwali. A real ‘trick or treat’ to read!

Then we met Solo and all i could think was ‘oh poor puppy!’ as a dog with puppy eyes is what you’ve planted in my head. What a fun, and heartbreaking read. Puppy’s are my weakness!

thank you for sharing this!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Blysful for your encouraging review. Your visit most appreciated.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Poor pup! They are all so afraid of fireworks and thunder. I could picture poor Solo in the corner so scared and so unwilling to go out into the scary world. Very well written, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Lydi**. Sending you all good wishes for a happy new year.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

Solo. sounds like a smart dog indeed
I have a cat like that..he's super sensitive
to noises and chaos and shies away from it
animals are amazing for sure..nice write Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran Marie. Yes, animals are amazing and certainly enrich lives. Your visit is much appreciated.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I find animals quite remarkable when they seem to know what weather patterns are coming. Nice writing as always Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. Animals have awareness we don't have. They are amazing. All good wishes and thanks for checking in.

Chris

[kentuck14]

I had a former dog (Tego) who was deadly afraid of thunder, fireworks, etc.. She would shiver like your poor dog. Our current hound, Ginger, doesn't seem to mind the noise at all. Dogs, like humnas, have their own way about them.
T

[Chris Shaw]

Your Tego suffered like our Solo does. Horrible to see an animal trembling and frozen with fear. Thankfully, the fireworks have come to an end. Thank you Tom.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

Thankfully my cat Maurice only freaks out when the garbage beast truck passes the house:) In Pittsburgh the standing joke response to invitation is "will there be fireworks?" they have fireworks here all of the time! poor Solo would not like to visit the burgh:( Good thing that the trick element to Halloween here is not fireworks cause they would go bonkers I will not inform them of this concept:)

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Bunny. You have fireworks all the time? Solo would be a nervous wreck :) Pleased to say that at the moment things have quietened down. Thank you for introducing me to Maurice. My cat Myron (a she) sends a hi, to Maurice. I like fireworks, the organised displays, especially the New Year ones from the bank of the Thames in London. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

No animal friendlier to human beings than is the dog.
Canines and people are often able to read each other's thoughts.
An absolutely charming poetic account!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. You are so right about canines being the best friend to man. They can identify your moods so easily. So pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris