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Open Poetry #15
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poetsguild
Member
since 2001-08-12
Posts 85
Florida

0 posted 2001-09-05 09:17 PM



Walking the dogs

Every day around four
they come to stare at me;
follow me around the house
expectantly - as if to say -
it’s time to go now.
I know it, but always stretch it out
another hour or so
until they are in a frenzy -
Rosie tossing her head like a filly
and Rocky spinning -
a polka-dotted dervish.
They trip me up before
I can even get to the door
as they yank me into the street.

The late afternoon sun slants
(a xanthic beam)
across the shrubbery
as the plumbago flares
into a living conflagration
of blue sparks.
The dogs pull their leashes
hard in opposite directions,
pulling me off kilter,
threatening me with the feel
of asphalt crashing into my knees;
doesn’t take much
to throw me these days.

Then I see it.
An osprey buoyant
upon the aerial currents,
wing tips spread like fingers;
gliding against the firmament,
taking my breath with it.
For a moment I see
the tops of trees and houses,
small movements on the ground -
the flash in the water.
We swoop to extract the wriggling prey
from its submerged existence,
bear it to a pine limb
and breach the scaly carcass.

The dogs tug me to the ground.


© 2000 Melissa Songer

© Copyright 2001 Melissa Songer - All Rights Reserved
Alan
Senior Member
since 2000-09-12
Posts 1499
right next door
1 posted 2001-09-05 09:32 PM


with my owning more than one dog...I know where you are coming from. Good read.
alan

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

2 posted 2001-09-06 12:17 PM


Inspiration can come from the most daily of routines.  Loved the images and saw the ending coming.  LOL
poetsguild
Member
since 2001-08-12
Posts 85
Florida
3 posted 2001-09-06 09:03 PM


Thank you, Alan and Duncan. Love my puppies but they can be tricksy at times.
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