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Open Poetry #47
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-04-15 04:16 PM


Wrote this about a year before I had to have my old dog put down. . . .


Old dog, what is it that you think,
As you lie there, staring up at me;
With that one eye all out of sync,
You'd rather be peeing on a tree?

How long have we been as one,
Growing into old farts, for what?
Waiting patiently each rising sun,
Even forgot your name, you mutt.

What we have to show for it all,
I mean for us living all this time?
I throw you a bone, you can't maul,
And I'm too old to make it rhyme.

Ah, but there was a time, long ago,
The glint in our eyes very strong.
Chasing females, in heat or in snow,
Loved 'em, left 'em, now we're alone.

The zip in our stroll, Old Dog, is spent,
We have arthritis, we walk, we creak.
Long walks we took, you chasing scent,
Now, its TV,  we're two tired antiques.

You lay there on the floor, sad eyes
Looking at me, knowing what I know.
All life's vital juices have gone to dry,
We're just sittin' around, waitin' to go.

You've been one hell of a fine friend,
As good a buddy as a man could want.
Oh, life's been good, we can say amen
To that, and to death we still do taunt.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

© Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
1 posted 2011-04-15 04:18 PM


Floods of tears

Owl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2011-04-15 04:41 PM


I had a feeling, being the subject was what it was, you'd be the first one to comment. Thanks for the tears, Owl, but the old dog and I have no regrets. Well, maybe he doesn't . . .

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
3 posted 2011-04-15 04:49 PM


I know . . . and I know . . .

Owl

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
4 posted 2011-04-15 05:29 PM


Jerry you are tugging at the ole heart strings with this one...I'm glad you got Zoe.
Lori

naturegirl
Member
since 2009-09-30
Posts 168
England
5 posted 2011-04-15 05:30 PM


what's the old saying, "many a good tune played on an old fiddle?". This made me smile thinking of two old rogues who could still probably get up to mischief if they were so inclined. Lovely.
Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

6 posted 2011-04-15 06:59 PM


JerryPat - This was beautiful. There's nothing like an old loyal friend who's 'been there and done that' with you. Youth may be where you find marvels of nature but age is where you find works of art. Much enjoyed JP. Namyh
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
7 posted 2011-04-15 07:27 PM


Aw, thanks Lori, I miss that old mutt, but yes, indeed I am very happy I have Zoe.


Haha, we could probably still get into that mischief, naturegirl, it's the getting out of it that would be the problem. Haha Thanks for being here.


That was sweet of you, Namyh, and I appreciate it very much.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

[This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (04-15-2011 11:05 PM).]

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
8 posted 2011-04-16 05:50 AM


Jerry
I'm probably the strangest man in the world but I got a lot of relaxing humour out of this and a good attitude from your words.

Life is very precious but acceptance of the different stages and levels is maturity well placed in the mind.

Good stuff from you and old mutt.

Eric

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
9 posted 2011-04-16 09:02 AM


I don't think you are a strange man at all, Eric. I felt a sense of peace as I wrote this piece. I am very happy that you liked it.
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
10 posted 2011-04-16 09:11 AM


Very well written , my friend.  Much enjoyed the read. Believe it or not I still, though less and less now, smell the "odor" of my dog, 10-years dead now, in the house - so far not once this year...a few times last.  And I don't mean doggy odor still permeating the house... I mean walk into a room and suddenly you're surrounded with the smell of her;  the smell of play-hot and sweaty-wet.  Moments later it's gone.  She was an Irish Setter...very loved one.

Again...good, memory evoking write.

j.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
11 posted 2011-04-16 09:15 AM


Thanks j, for sharing that with me. I can absolutely understand where you are coming from. I have a feeling that might have happened to me if I hadn't searched and found Zoe to take up the space. Dogs are very special.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

faithmairee
Senior Member
since 2011-01-05
Posts 1441
Poe Haven, USA
12 posted 2011-04-17 12:14 PM


i know how it feels to miss your buddy...i had my dog Lady for almost eighteen years...she was wonderful and although it's been years since she passed i still miss her terribly...i love the two dogs i have now but i still miss her...

your poem really moved me...great job on this one

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
13 posted 2011-04-17 07:27 AM


Faith, I also have another dog who I love very much, but yes, there are many days I think about Nipper. He was special. Zoe is also in her own way.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
14 posted 2011-04-17 09:10 AM


Dear Jerry, oh this moved me to tears. I think your old friend co-signs this poignant poetic creation.

Great work you two ... and so true.


Love,
Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
15 posted 2011-04-17 09:12 AM


I think he co-signed it also, Margherita. Thank you.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
16 posted 2011-04-17 04:39 PM


Okay, now you've done it, pass the Kleenes. But aren't we lucky to have those loyal friends to spend these twilight years with?


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
17 posted 2011-04-17 04:47 PM


Yes indeed, Marcia, I know I am. His replacement (how can you replace them?) is taking control of my heart as we speak.

Thank you for stopping by.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
18 posted 2011-04-17 04:55 PM


Jerry...I have an old girl much like your he...who most of the time seems older than me.  I know that her time left is not very long...still we hang together in a way that is strong.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
19 posted 2011-04-17 05:12 PM


Martie. It was tough putting my old mutt down. The way the vet went about it was wrong and he suffered. I lost it, and almost put a fist in the vet's face because of her stupidity. I think about that day at least twice a week and every time I do I say to Nipper to myself, I'm sorry.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
20 posted 2011-04-17 06:18 PM


I'm sorry, Jerry
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
21 posted 2011-04-17 06:25 PM


True stories are always the best.
Thank you, Sir.


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
22 posted 2011-04-17 06:37 PM


Thank you, Martie.

You are absolutely right, Sunshine. Thanks.

~ Don't insult the alligator till after you cross the river. ~

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