Definitely Not Just Another Dog Story

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 16 Mar 2014
  • 9359 reads
16 comments
 
Her old faithful bought it yesterday –
under the wheels of a dustcart.
Nine years she’d had him from a pup.
 
Tried to tell herself he was only a dog,
but when you’re pushing eighty
you take your comfort in whatever guise
it comes.
 
Never mind.  Today at least she’d
have company.  An old friend popping
round for tea
 
and the washing-machine man 
was coming to fit that spare-part...again; 
third time lucky; fingers crossed, naturally.
 
Then the phone rings.  Her old friend
cancels – a terrible migraine; she’d
be round next week – God willing.
 
Puts her best china back on the shelf,
and then the phone, again.  The washing
machine man this time.  Once more they’d
sent the wrong part.  He’d be in touch
in the next day or so. 
 
Rinses out her smalls in the sink – picks up
a now defunct, half-chewed bone. Chucks it
in the wheelie-bin.  Puts some bread out
for the birds; this cold weather they ate
her out of house and home. 
 
The sun, doing a nose-dive...seems it too,
wanted the hell out of there.  Was it something
she’d said?
 
The door of the garden shed swings
back and forth on its hinges...beckoning, beckoning.
Knocks before she goes in...smiles to herself.
Old habits died hard, right enough. 
 
Fingers a box and lifts the lid; her husband’s 
wood-working tools.  She’ll just sit here 
for a bit....anything but go out in the dark.
 
Picks up a peg he’d whittled, just to pass
the time, warm still from the hands
gave it life.
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Love

Comments

Submitted by lenchenelf on

Like this very much Tina, there's a considered and deliberate fracture in the rhythm to add weight to the cracks of her day and in temperment. Carefully crafted, as ever with you. :)

all the best

Lena x

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lena - so good to hear from you, and thank you for popping by. Much appreciate your more than valued thoughtssmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by HarryC on

So many things going on in this one, Tina.  Love, loss, disappointment, aging, the sense of growing isolation... and the comfort, still, in those small familiar things.  That final stanza is perfect in capturing it all.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Good morning, Stan, or I guess that should be afternoon, now.  Thank you so much for taking the trouble to read and for your thoughts; as ever, inspiring.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Lovely thoughts anf feelings here.

Ends on a very 'sweet' note.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Obliged to you, SG.  

Hope your Sunday is panning out wellsmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Tina,

I liked this poem very much even though it featured a dog dying.  The matter of fact way she dealt with it at first seemed a little unfeeling but you bring  a dog loving reader such as me back  with

'Knocks before she goes in...smiles to herself.

Old habits died hard, right enough.' 

Then the last two stanzas nail it for any reader who could not understand her need to find comfort.

Moya

 

 

   

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Moya, more than obliged to you for your thoughts.  They are always a joy to read, and so very rewardingsmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

I liked this, too. Agree with above comments. 

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

My thanks to you, Bee.  Have a great Monday.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You bring the lady to life for us, with gentleness and a few brief words. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So pleased that I did, Rhiannon, at least, for yousmiley  Thank you, so very much for telling me.

Tina

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Loved this, Tina. It's never easy. And I know how much a loss like that affects the elderly, especially. Lost our dog not too long ago and it wasn't easy. Had to carry him out to the car in a make-shift stretcher. Then to the vets, where we all sat and waited after the vet injected the needle. We hovered around him and I cried like a baby.

Rich x

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

A sad story, Rich.  Thanks for reading mine, and I'm so very sorry about your dog.  We lost our cat, a few years ago now, to a stroke.  The vet is only just round the corner from me, but the journey there and back, so very long.

Tina

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

This poems is as always dense, carefully constructed and full of character.  I can see this lovely lady, feel her many losses and want to give her a hug.

I love the seemingly nonchalant dealing with blows, compartmentalizing the hurts and only letting them come forward when seated and in control.  I liked everything about this... as usual.

I even liked the question I was left with at the end, wondering how the piece of wood was still warm - was it sitting in the late afternoon sun?

Well done again, Tina.

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks for your thoughts on this poem, Frances, and I guess...yes, it could have been the sunsmiley

Tina