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Open Poetry #36
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red barking dog
| Open Poetry #36 |
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red barking dog |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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red barking dog why do I water the red barking dog? I could be free of him if I would let him die my neighbor doesn’t care; feeds him sometimes, waters him never I dropped bucket over the fence, hooked it upright with a stick now I hose careful when it’s empty, red dog barking crazily drinks until his belly bulges bolus of water wobbling like weightless under him, drinks until he vomits and in the night the barking echoes of red thirst |
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| © Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Angelheart Senior Member
since 2005-09-08
Posts 754Jacksonville,FL USA |
oh my.. good poem..thanks for sharing. Poetry can get you very far |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed Poor thing....if this is true, it's a good thing you do...especially with the weather being so hot. Some people should not have pets!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR! and a  for you! |
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Sharksbean Member
since 2005-09-25
Posts 368jax |
I most definitely liked this poem -may the force be with you in poetry |
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Sharksbean Member
since 2005-09-25
Posts 368jax |
why are you taking care clifford the big red dog anyway  |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
His name was Red. Irish setter of course, and he barked day and night. Like half of Arkansawyers, his owners fancied themselves having a kennel, got a bitch somewhere but she didn't bark at all. I'd go out at night, not to be seen, and hose the bucket full; sometimes in the daytime if they weren't home. That's how I know about the bulging belly.....the female was more careful, but not by much. They put a German Shepherd pup in that run too, but it never grew, then one day died. I understood too late that Red and the other dog had eaten all the food so that it starved to death. When that happened, we finally called the authorities, and the owner did jail time out of it, I believe....but we moved about then so I'm not sure. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Oh yeah....and that summer we had a streak of weather in Fayetteville, where the temperature reached 107 or more every day for two straight weeks. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> ______________Ratleader______________ |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Excellent write Ed. Eric |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I cannot for the life of me imagine someone who would not care for their animals. Why do you do it, Ed?....Because you're a good guy, that's why. You take the common things that go on everyday and make them alive in your writing. .......jo |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Oh, Ed, this is such a disturbing piece. I knew that I shouldn't read it .... but did anyway. I too have been witness to such cruelty. Used to water and feed a sweet terrier next door. They moved eventually and I still worry about the pooch. You have a very kind heart my friend. hugs to you, Chris Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
I had an Irish Setter, her name was Mel, they are gentle dogs with a great temper (mel was) this breaks my heart, but I hope Red found a new home? and is being cared for now.....  ~~**~~ |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Last I saw, cop had him on a leash....he and one of the SPCA people were talking about the poor thing and what could be done for him....so I think he ended up in a happy place. ...and I ended up sleeping better....nothing like a major-sized dog fifty feet away, going barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark all the doo-dah night! ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I could be free of him if I would let him die But that would never be your solution... your big heart holds too much compassion. *S* The very image of red thirst is one that will be with me for a long time... may every one who reads this be inspired to act... to be kind. *S* Incredible work! |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I have never understood why people have pets living outside except for farm or wild animals. M |
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Janette
since 2001-07-20
Posts 2843Chicagoland for now |
OK ... this one made me cry. But still an excellent write. always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same |
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Obsidian Snow Member
since 2005-08-24
Posts 88 |
What a very sad story. But an educational one. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
I hope the owner did do "jail time". This type of negligence is certainly criminal... You did your part, Ratty..compassion goes a long way and in my mind is a way to heaven, should their be such a place.. I enjoyed this poem though, through all of its harsh and soft layers, of neglect and care. Well done, it moved me emtionally. -----------ice ><> |
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