To be read as if narrated by David Attenborough
two large
pound cakes
a chocolate
and a butterscotch
wait for more
cakes of their own
disappointed
and convinced that
the next five minutes
are essential to their rate of survival
the cakes keel over
and in a weakened state
they slip into oblivious sleep
and start to snore
he woos, a muffled woo
my slipper stuffed far in his mouth
I pat his brown fur and laugh out loud
and tug it loose
naughty bear
he wags his tail
someday
my slippers will be dry
and right where I left them
and I can’t tell you how much
that breaks my heart
Hi friends,
I accidentally went MIA these past few weeks. We went on vacation about mid-August, and well, pretty much hit the ground running once we got back. I can’t believe summer is about over 😫
AJM
the dog is hurting
take to surgeon, cost of leg
walking, maybe not
Our Koda bear is at the vet right now, getting a sedated Xray to see the extent of a CCL tear in his right knee. It’s difficult when your dog is hurt. 😞 😢
dogs tell tales
like humans do
scratch an ear
steal a shoe
a stolen slipper
means, “I missed you”
a sock in mouth
means “hello,” too
love is the language
that dogs speak
except they say it
with a toy that squeaks
or slobbery kisses,
with head on your thigh
hands in warm fur
a deep, contented sigh
and muddy paw prints
on the kitchen floor
nose prints on the window
scratching the bathroom door
a minute is an hour
when you’re gone away
because they love us
every. single. day.
If you liked what you read, considering following me on Instagram @ajmorse_writes and follow my Facebook page A. J. Morse. My poetry book Walking in Cemeteries is available on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/cAsZUxa
And…because we love our two buds…some pics below! We recently got a new golden retriever puppy. Meet Teddy! You can follow them both on instagram @kodabear_and_teddy
To the person who left
An old, deflated basketball
In your back yard
To Mother Nature
Who picked it up
Carried it to the next house
Then the next
Until it rested on a muddy bank
That belonged
To a chocolate lab
Who rescued it
Claimed it
As his own
To the countless hours
Through rain, snow, dust and sunlight
Spent catching, jumping
and loving this half-deflated
Junk that no one else wanted
To the person
Who thought that deflated
Meant not useful enough
Who tossed it aside
To the universe who knew
That a chocolate lab needed it
To the water
That brought it
where it needed to be
To Koda who
Loves, loves, loves
His first, dirty, lumpy basketball
That the universe gifted him another
To the universe
Who knew that a chocolate lab
(and their human)
Would spend countless hours in the yard
Playing, catching and listening
To the universe
Who knew that two, lumpy, half-deflated basketballs meant
More fresh air, more exercise, a friend and friends
To the basketballs
who often sit on our front porch
Lovingly named “Outside Balls”
Thank you
If you liked what you read, considering following me on Instagram @ajmorse_writes and follow my Facebook page A. J. Morse. My poetry book Walking in Cemeteries is available on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/cAsZUxa
For more of Koda, our chocolate lab, you can follow him on instagram @kodabear_thebud.
Once upon a time, there was a dog who fell in love with a basketball.
He found it one stormy, November day floating in the stream behind his house and claimed it as his own.
Then, for the next nine months, he carried it around the yard everywhere with him. On walks…to go pee…to sniff in the stream for frogs and tasty bits of grass.
…for more on Koda’s basketball, tune in next Monday for a new poem! 🙂
Author’s Note:
I am very lucky in my current situation to be able to work from home. My heart goes out to those who work in essential jobs who are more and more at risk everyday. It’s been stressful for all of us. Our chocolate lab, Koda, has been providing the entertainment here. He might not be the most well-behaved co-worker sometimes, but he is definitely our free-lance therapy dog right now. Below is just silliness.
Stay safe everyone!
Amanda
When my dog works
It’s all about play
He sits near your chair
As you begin your day
Somehow, his ball makes
its way on your desk
His wet nose touches your elbow
You tell him to rest
Just when it’s quiet
You have to go pee
Of course, he has to come along
(In case there’s something to see)
Back in the office
You answer a call
He gets stuck under the desk
While getting his ball
He looks up at you
With a big doggy grin
Wagging his tail
Let’s do it again
And again
And again
And again
About a week ago, Mike and I had to say goodbye to his dog, Marley. He had Lyme disease that went to his kidneys and after a few trips to the vet we were saying goodbye sooner than we ever thought possible.
Although he wasn’t mine, I loved him. He was our family and now he’s gone. We are dealing with it as best we can. But it’s never easy saying goodbye.
Saying Goodbye
I didn’t want to say the words, “put down”
Like he was some shiny toy
We had picked up and lost interest
too cold to think of leaving
Such a treasure behind
to think of all the tail wags, the last sniffs in the snow
the moment before the final moment the worst
a deep sleep that hurts
One final pin-prick, back leg trembles.
I couldn’t find the words to say
I’ll help you
I’m right here
I’m sorry
Then, sobbing in the car like I’d lost something I’ll never find again
Tail wags, brown, liquid eyes full of courage
You’re hurt and you’re dying and all you have to say is: I love you
A. J. Morse 