Oh Dog

Silly dogs.

Oh, dog.

Do not stare at me so.

Do not cluster near my feet,

when I’m eating an omelet.

You’re much too fat anyway.

This bit of ham will bulge your gut.

And I know you will gum,

but won’t eat,

the olive.

You’ll leave it there on the floor.

to smear.

Oh dog.

The thunder won’t harm you.

Nor the vacuum.

Nor the dryer.

But if you knock over the garbage bin again,

I promise you you’ll have a reason.

To fear.

Oh dog…

I cannot tell you

how your happiness vexes me.

How your geniality compels me,

to bring you into my bed.

So you can kick me,

in your dog dreams,

and then wake me,

with the sirens.

Because you sing with sirens,

impossibly loud,

but with characteristic vigor,

and I envy you,

the way you drop off the sleep,

to dream your dog dreams,

and I love you,

that you still meet me there,

in mine.

 

 

 

Reviews

[Kieta!]

This poem is so sweet and true. It makes me think of my dog, who (we just found out) might have cancer

[Jane Dougherty]

For someone with a dog I can empathise. Lovely last few lines.

[Jennifer Johnston]

Thanks for reading!