Why Dog
~
why do you find me dog
why will you not let me be
you belonged to her
but she is gone
you know this is so
don’t you dog
I see it in your eyes
the sadness there
sadness I recognize
the sorrow
pressing in
as these night winds stir
darkness pressing in
but she’s gone boy
lost into the lightless realm
beyond this chill encircling us
you shiver
you feel it too
don’t you boy
but I’ve no emotion here
save grief
as is buried
in your worried whimper
I’ve no good comfort here
but come
come here boy
that’s a good dog
I know
I know
me too boy
me too
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
I firmly believe dogs grieve for those they loved. Lovely Rob.
I have always known dogs feel the absence, especially the loss, of their owner(s). Thank you Linda.
Beautifully written.
Thank you Arcadia! 🙂
For some reason, I could hear the Beatles singing this as lyrics, or Leonard Cohen, or Joni Mitchell; jazz piano. As a musician, you probably slipped music in between the lines.
From your lips to their ears Glenn — I could sure as hell use the royalties. 😉
How moving! Dogs just know, don’t they? I loved this poem so much Rob.
Thank you Christine. Pets bond and imprint with a loving owner, and remain deeply connected, I believe, in a nearly symbiotic way. I believe this connection is why animals will truly grieve the loss of their owner
This is sad. 🙁 Nicely written, though, Rob.
Thank you RW… 🙂
Well, I heard the opening stanza of Gaga’s “Shallow” … (“Tell me somethin’ boy…”) And yes, dogs (and cats) do grieve lost masters.
Thank you Bev. If this piece called that powerful song to mind, I am pleased. Yes, a relationship between pet and master is incredibly deep, if the master is loving.
Oh, hell. I felt this! I wanted to fall to my knees and sink into my dog’s warm fur and hug her after reading this. Yes, they know, they really do.
I am pleased you felt this Raivenne. Give that good girl another hug. 🙂
I believe dogs know and feel the deep lost of their companions. I remember seeing a video about a dog who lost his friend who was in the service. During the funeral the dog sat by the casket. Gee, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
It is a remarkable love and loyalty. If I have been having a bad day, my little Edgrrr feels it, and walks gently over to me where I sit and places his head softly against my leg. His love is palpable.
What a great parallel you show in your poem between animal and human feelings. That sense of grief is really strong and comes through so well.
Thank you Dwight.
Oh this is wonderful. The helplessness of the poor dog.
I appreciate your reaction Bjorn, thank you.
Your poem has broken my heart, Rob. It reminds me of the time I looked after my daughter’s Jack Russell, Ruby. She looked out of the window for her the whole time, and she was so overjoyed when my daughter returned. It also reminds me of Greyfriar’s Bobby, the little Skye Terrier who became famous in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself. That story made a big impression on me when I was a child. What I like about this poem is the direct address to ‘dog’ and the human/canine empathy.
Dogs are unique and wonderful animals Kim. They want so much to please their owner, and their love is palpable. With the shit I have been through this year, it was the constant steady love my dog Edgrrr showed me that helped me so often — more than I can express.
Very moving and dogs certainly have very strong emotions of loss and do want to share this and be comforted. A sad but beautiful poem.
Thank you Georgina… 🙂
The love of a dog can be a comfort as they share our grief…a touching write, Rob.
Thank you Lynn… 🙂
Aw, dogs are the best when you feel down. Brody was there for me when I lost my husband and my son. He still is attached to my hip most of the time.
Sorry for such loss Christine… bless Brody.
Rob, you are a gentle soul, and I can see you having this conversation with the bewildered and grieving furbaby. Your poem draws me to the grief.
Thank you Lisa. It came from my heart full of memories of someone wonderful and talented, and the love she had for her dog — as I have for my little Edgrrr.
So poignant and true. I can imagine this scene.
We love our pets, and they love us.
Thank you Merril, we fo love our furry companions. They wrap their little paws tenderly round our hearts.