A Quake

this happens far too often

He crawls into my lap,

Something’s amiss,

But how does he know?

I watch the concern

In his dog’s eyes grow.

 

The tremors begin,

Rattling us both,

But does it begin gradually?

No, his eyes open wide

Suddenly, confusingly.

 

We huddle together,

His paws stretch over his eyes.

On and on it goes.

My fear builds,

His resignation grows.

 

He pants, he's still,

He pants, he's still.

Finally, some relief?

He gets to his feet, shaking,

But the respite will be brief.

 

Then the aftershocks,

Fear resumes anew.

Maybe this--this time--is really it?

My grief flows,

Amidst his frothy vomit.

 

Then it leaves,

As quickly as it came.

Is he moved by emotion

Dashing out through the snow?

While I remain, frozen--

 

As if it happened to me.

Reviews

[Wolfwind]

I think this poem shows us how a man and his dog can grow to have an amazingly, if not almost mysterious bond between the two. You captured the moment, not only with good description, but emotions as well. Nice Ink!

Aaron