Outside Her House

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BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Outside Her House

#1 Post by BobBradshaw » 20 Sep 2017, 22:13

Outside Her House


We sit outside her house for hours.
I throw my arm around Roy.
 
He licks my blank face,
as if trying to stroke warmth

into an avalanche victim.
“It's time to go, Roy, “

and I grab his collar, but he stares back
as if unpersuaded. 

"Hey, does a songbird become
a lifelong bachelor

because one bird turns him down?
Did Mozart enter a monastery

because a singer gave him
the heave-ho?
 
Here," and I tug at Roy’s leash as if
pulling at a stubborn knot.

"I’m  heartbroken for now, but
heartbreaks don’t last.   

Who has time to let grief
muck up his heart?

And for the moment Roy
is convinced--then yowls

as if no pulling of a leash
could ever get him to move

from this heartless
spot.

Bernie01
Posts: 777
Joined: 30 Jul 2015, 11:14

Re: Outside Her House

#2 Post by Bernie01 » 21 Sep 2017, 03:19

Bob---

now this dog becomes a real player in this poem, but never eclipsing the narrator whose story is both clear and touching.

loved this:

and I grab his collar, but he stares back
as if unpersuaded.


it flew in the face of expectation and added personality to the dog.

excellent job.



bernie.

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Outside Her House

#3 Post by FranktheFrank » 21 Sep 2017, 09:37

It is a choker Bob
wow you got me with this one.

Gracy321
Posts: 94
Joined: 19 Sep 2017, 09:10
Location: Argentina
Contact:

Re: Outside Her House

#4 Post by Gracy321 » 21 Sep 2017, 10:42

Hi Bob,
Enjoyed this one. To me, it comes over as if dog and owner become as one "jilted being".
"Her house" could just as well be the house where a pretty poodle is on heat! It's absolutely impossible to pull a dog away from such a situation... LOL.
Love the references to Mozart and a songbird, posed as questions. Very poetic.
I also emphasize with the way dogs understand their owner's moods.
Enjoyed a lot.
Gracy

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Outside Her House

#5 Post by BobBradshaw » 21 Sep 2017, 20:21

Bernie, Frankly, Gracy -- thanks so much for the kind words!

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