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#bark
fear assists another fear just to get in me at 1 am midnight why are you scaring of a bark in this desolate coffeehouse invisible faces nightly forces lighting celebration orange it’s dark swamps of Zen appear no person is under authentic self, night glows through this is so jazz
0
Dec 27, 2025
Dec 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM UTC
orange fear
Why did they love Cleopatra’s kohl, but not the gold that reeked of ore? Those Pompeii frescoed walls— a veil of Isis, untouched, unloved. In their eyes, the rough bark hides the sap; Helen’s grace shapes destiny, not ruin. Through every lens, the surface glows— old mirrors ignored , there cracked reveal too deep Through us to you, and whole— beauty never fades, but it will.
0
Nov 10, 2025
Nov 10, 2025 at 6:14 AM UTC
Pompeli frescoed lenses 🧱
i bark, and i lap up vinegared wine from my bowl laden with sprinkles of fruit flies. my collar is on but my leash, real long. i’m not in earshot, but i don’t stray too far.
0
Jul 17, 2024
Jul 17, 2024 at 12:05 AM UTC
dauwg
Another tough day in the life Of a dog like me can’t you see My humans are ill-trained So waking them requires several techniques Laying on their heads to get them up Or pulling the covers off works most days Then I take them out for a walk This is annoying as I often have to go *** They eat more meals a day than I do This requires me to monitor them while they dine Looking up at these beings giving them the evil eye Sometimes guilt’s them into sharing Getting them to play is often a task Pretending to be interested in playing ball tedious When napping I often keep one eye open This ensures they don’t leave without my knowing Upon their returning to my home That I let them share with me I jump up and down trying to look enthusiastic This makes them feel good, so I do it every time Generally speaking I have trained these two well Mostly they behave but every once I have to bark at them I rescued this pair at a shelter So I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into Andreas Simic©
0
Mar 15, 2022
Mar 15, 2022 at 10:08 AM UTC
A Day in the Life of Louis
Blankets of verdant emerald over fallen limbs, Crooken arms, Enclosing up and over and under, Walk, sting, stop, puddle, Ankle deep in laughter and brown, murky water, Joy spread across our faces, Mud smeared up our arms, legs, hands and hats, Indestructible powerhouses with totally vulnerable feet, Like ducks and foxes and rabbits. The spongy bark or mighty trees fills me with hope, That my wounds will heal.
0
Jul 31, 2021
Jul 31, 2021 at 8:29 AM UTC
The Ouse Valley
These are poems about dogs and doggerel about dogs... Dog Daze by Michael R. Burch Sweet Oz is a soulful snuggler; he really is one of the best. Sometimes in bed he snuggles my head, though mostly he plops on my chest. I think Oz was made to love from the first ray of light to the dark, but his great love for me is exceeded (oh gee!) by his Truly Great Passion: to Bark. Epitaph for a Lambkin by Michael R. Burch for Melody, the prettiest, sweetest and fluffiest dog ever Now that Melody has been laid to rest Angels will know what it means to be blessed. Amen This Dog by Rabindranath Tagore loose translation/interpretation/moderniz     ation by Michael R. Burch Each morning this dog, who has become quite attached to me, sits silently at my feet until, gently caressing his head, I acknowledge his company. This simple recognition gives my companion such joy he shudders with sheer delight. Among all languageless creatures he alone has seen through man entire— has seen beyond what is good or bad in him to such a depth he can lay down his life for the sake of love alone. Now it is he who shows me the way through this unfathomable world throbbing with life. When I see his deep devotion, his offer of his whole being, I fail to comprehend... How, through sheer instinct, has he discovered whatever it is that he knows? With his anxious piteous looks he cannot communicate his understanding and yet somehow has succeeded in conveying to me out of the entire creation the true loveworthiness of man. My Dog Died by Pablo Neruda loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch My dog died; so I buried him in the backyard garden next to some rusted machine. One day I'll rejoin him, over there, but for now he's gone with his shaggy mane, his crude manners and his cold, clammy nose, while I, the atheist who never believed in any heaven for human beings, now believe in a paradise I'm unfit to enter. Yes, I somehow now believe in a heavenly kennel where my dog awaits my arrival wagging his tail in furious friendship! But I'll not indulge in sadness here: why bewail a companion who was never servile? His friendship was more like that of a porcupine preserving its prickly autonomy. His was the friendship of a distant star with no more intimacy than true friendship called for and no false demonstrations: he never clambered over me coating my clothes with mange; he never assaulted my knee like dogs obsessed with *** But he used to gaze up at me, giving me the attention my ego demanded, while helping this vainglorious man understand my concerns were none of his. Aye, and with those bright eyes so much purer than mine, he'd gaze up at me contentedly; it was a look he reserved for me alone all his entire sweet, gentle life, always merely there, never troubling me, never demanding anything. Aye, and often I envied his energetic tail as we strode the shores of Isla Negra together, in winter weather, wild birds swarming skyward as my golden-maned friend leapt about, supercharged by the sea's electric surges, sniffing away wildly, his tail held ***** his face suffused with the salt spray. Joy! Joy! Joy! As only dogs experience joy in the shameless exuberance of their guiltless spirits. Thus there are no sad good-byes for my dog who died; we never once lied to each other. He died, he's gone, I buried him; that's all there is to it. Bed Head, or, the Ballad of Beth and her Fur Babies by Michael R. Burch When Beth and her babies prepare for “good night” sweet rituals of kisses and cuddles commence. First Wickett, the eldest, whose mane has grown light with the wisdom of age and advanced senescence is tucked in, “just right.” Then Mary, the mother, is smothered with kisses in a way that befits such an angelic missus. Then Melody, lambkin, and sweet, soulful Oz and cute, clever Xander all clap their clipped paws and follow sweet Beth to their high nightly roost where they’ll sleep on her head (or, perhaps, her caboose). Excoriation of a Treat Slave by Michael R. Burch I am his Highness’s dog at Kew. Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? —Alexander Pope We practice our fierce Yapping, for when the treat slaves come they’ll grant Us our desire. (They really are that dumb!) They’ll never catch Us napping — our Ears pricked, keen and sharp. When they step into Our parlor, We’ll leap awake, and Bark. But one is rather doltish; he doesn’t understand the meaning of Our savage, imperial, wild Command. The others are quite docile and bow to Us on cue. We think the dull one wrote a poem about some Dog from Kew who never grasped Our secret, whose mind stayed think, and dark. It’s a question of obedience conveyed by a Lordly Bark. But as for playing fetch, well, that’s another matter. We think the dullard’s also as mad as any hatter and doesn’t grasp his duty to fling Us slobbery ***** which We’d return to him, mincingly, here in Our royal halls. Wickett by Michael R. Burch Wickett, sweet Ewok, Wickett, old Soul, Wicket, brave Warrior, though no longer whole . . . You gave us your All. You gave us your Best. You taught us to Love, like all of the Blessed Angels and Saints of good human stock. You barked the Great Bark. You walked the True Walk. Now Wickett, dear Child and incorrigible Duffer, we commend you to God that you no longer suffer. May you dash through the Stars like the Wickett of old and never feel hunger and never know cold and be reunited with all our Good Tribe — with Harmony and Paw-Paw and Mary beside. Go now with our Love as the great Choir sings that Wickett, our Wickett, has at last earned his Wings! The Resting Place by Michael R. Burch for Harmony Sleep, then, child; you were dearly loved. Sleep, and remember her well-loved face, strong arms that would lift you, soft hands that would move with love’s infinite grace, such tender caresses! ... When autumn came early, you could not stay. Now, wherever you wander, the wildflowers bloom and love is eternal. Her heart’s great room is your resting place. ... Await by the door her remembered step, her arms’ warm embraces, that gathered you in. Sleep, child, and remember. Love need not regret its moment of weakness, for that is its strength, And when you awaken, she will be there, smiling, at the Rainbow Bridge. Oz is the Boss! by Michael R. Burch Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! He barks like a tyrant for treats and a hydrant; his voice far more regal than mere greyhound or beagle; his serfs must obey him or his yipping will slay them! Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! Xander the Joyous by Michael R. Burch Xander the Joyous came here to prove: Love can be playful! Love can have moves! Now Xander the Joyous bounds around heaven, waiting for his mommies, one of the SEVEN ― the Seven Great Saints of the Great Canine Race who evangelize Love throughout all Time and Space. Amen Mary, Mary by Michael R. Burch Mary, Mary, sweet yet contrary, how do your puppies grow? With sugar and spice and everything nice, and Mama Beth loving them so! Lady’s Favor: Ye Noble Ballade of Sir Dog and the Butterfly by Michael R. Burch Sir was such a gallant man! When he saw his Lady cry and beg him to send her a Butterfly, what else could he do, but comply? From heaven, he found a Monarch regal and able to defy north winds and a chilly sky; now Sir has his wings and can fly! When our gallant little dog Sir was unable to live any longer, my wife Beth asked him send her a sign, in the form of a butterfly, that Sir and her mother were reunited and together in heaven. It was cold weather, in the thirties. We rarely see Monarch butterflies in our area, even in the warmer months. But after Sir had been put to sleep, to spare him any further suffering, Beth found a Monarch butterfly in our back yard. It appeared to be lifeless, but she brought it inside, breathed on it, and it returned to life. The Monarch lived with us for another five days, with Beth feeding it fruit juice and Gatorade on a Scrubbie that it could crawl over like a flower. Beth is convinced that Sir sent her the message she had requested. Solo’s Watch by Michael R. Burch Solo was a stray who found a safe place to stay with a warm and loving band, safe at last from whatever cruel hand made him flinch in his dreams. Now he wanders the clear-running streams that converge at the Rainbow’s End and the Bridge where kind Angels attend to all souls who are ready to ascend. And always he looks for those who hugged him and held him close, who kissed him and called him dear and gave him a home free of fear, to welcome them to his home, here. Buffy by Michael R. Burch Buffy is fluffy but never stuffy. Though she runs forever, she never gets huffy. The perfect puppy. Prince Kiwi the Great by Michael R. Burch Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Prince Kiwi commands us with his regal air: “Come, humans, and serve me, or I’ll yank your hair!” Kiwi cries “Kree! Kree!” when he wants to be fed ... suns, preens, flutters, showers, then it’s off to bed. Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Kiwi is our family’s green-cheeked parakeet. Parakeets need to sleep around 12 hours per day, hence the pun on “bright” and “half the day.” Keywords: dog, dogs, canine, love, loyal, loyalty, friendship, companionship, bark, barking, soul, soulful, sweet, bossy, angel, angels, heaven, Rainbow Bridge
0
Dec 12, 2024
Dec 12, 2024 at 3:20 AM UTC
Dog Daze
These are poems about dogs and doggerel about dogs... Dog Daze by Michael R. Burch Sweet Oz is a soulful snuggler; he really is one of the best. Sometimes in bed he snuggles my head, though mostly he plops on my chest. I think Oz was made to love from the first ray of light to the dark, but his great love for me is exceeded (oh gee!) by his Truly Great Passion: to Bark. Epitaph for a Lambkin by Michael R. Burch for Melody, the prettiest, sweetest and fluffiest dog ever Now that Melody has been laid to rest Angels will know what it means to be blessed. Amen This Dog by Rabindranath Tagore loose translation/interpretation/moderniz     ation by Michael R. Burch Each morning this dog, who has become quite attached to me, sits silently at my feet until, gently caressing his head, I acknowledge his company. This simple recognition gives my companion such joy he shudders with sheer delight. Among all languageless creatures he alone has seen through man entire— has seen beyond what is good or bad in him to such a depth he can lay down his life for the sake of love alone. Now it is he who shows me the way through this unfathomable world throbbing with life. When I see his deep devotion, his offer of his whole being, I fail to comprehend... How, through sheer instinct, has he discovered whatever it is that he knows? With his anxious piteous looks he cannot communicate his understanding and yet somehow has succeeded in conveying to me out of the entire creation the true loveworthiness of man. My Dog Died by Pablo Neruda loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch My dog died; so I buried him in the backyard garden next to some rusted machine. One day I'll rejoin him, over there, but for now he's gone with his shaggy mane, his crude manners and his cold, clammy nose, while I, the atheist who never believed in any heaven for human beings, now believe in a paradise I'm unfit to enter. Yes, I somehow now believe in a heavenly kennel where my dog awaits my arrival wagging his tail in furious friendship! But I'll not indulge in sadness here: why bewail a companion who was never servile? His friendship was more like that of a porcupine preserving its prickly autonomy. His was the friendship of a distant star with no more intimacy than true friendship called for and no false demonstrations: he never clambered over me coating my clothes with mange; he never assaulted my knee like dogs obsessed with *** But he used to gaze up at me, giving me the attention my ego demanded, while helping this vainglorious man understand my concerns were none of his. Aye, and with those bright eyes so much purer than mine, he'd gaze up at me contentedly; it was a look he reserved for me alone all his entire sweet, gentle life, always merely there, never troubling me, never demanding anything. Aye, and often I envied his energetic tail as we strode the shores of Isla Negra together, in winter weather, wild birds swarming skyward as my golden-maned friend leapt about, supercharged by the sea's electric surges, sniffing away wildly, his tail held ***** his face suffused with the salt spray. Joy! Joy! Joy! As only dogs experience joy in the shameless exuberance of their guiltless spirits. Thus there are no sad good-byes for my dog who died; we never once lied to each other. He died, he's gone, I buried him; that's all there is to it. Bed Head, or, the Ballad of Beth and her Fur Babies by Michael R. Burch When Beth and her babies prepare for “good night” sweet rituals of kisses and cuddles commence. First Wickett, the eldest, whose mane has grown light with the wisdom of age and advanced senescence is tucked in, “just right.” Then Mary, the mother, is smothered with kisses in a way that befits such an angelic missus. Then Melody, lambkin, and sweet, soulful Oz and cute, clever Xander all clap their clipped paws and follow sweet Beth to their high nightly roost where they’ll sleep on her head (or, perhaps, her caboose). Excoriation of a Treat Slave by Michael R. Burch I am his Highness’s dog at Kew. Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? —Alexander Pope We practice our fierce Yapping, for when the treat slaves come they’ll grant Us our desire. (They really are that dumb!) They’ll never catch Us napping — our Ears pricked, keen and sharp. When they step into Our parlor, We’ll leap awake, and Bark. But one is rather doltish; he doesn’t understand the meaning of Our savage, imperial, wild Command. The others are quite docile and bow to Us on cue. We think the dull one wrote a poem about some Dog from Kew who never grasped Our secret, whose mind stayed think, and dark. It’s a question of obedience conveyed by a Lordly Bark. But as for playing fetch, well, that’s another matter. We think the dullard’s also as mad as any hatter and doesn’t grasp his duty to fling Us slobbery ***** which We’d return to him, mincingly, here in Our royal halls. Wickett by Michael R. Burch Wickett, sweet Ewok, Wickett, old Soul, Wicket, brave Warrior, though no longer whole . . . You gave us your All. You gave us your Best. You taught us to Love, like all of the Blessed Angels and Saints of good human stock. You barked the Great Bark. You walked the True Walk. Now Wickett, dear Child and incorrigible Duffer, we commend you to God that you no longer suffer. May you dash through the Stars like the Wickett of old and never feel hunger and never know cold and be reunited with all our Good Tribe — with Harmony and Paw-Paw and Mary beside. Go now with our Love as the great Choir sings that Wickett, our Wickett, has at last earned his Wings! The Resting Place by Michael R. Burch for Harmony Sleep, then, child; you were dearly loved. Sleep, and remember her well-loved face, strong arms that would lift you, soft hands that would move with love’s infinite grace, such tender caresses! ... When autumn came early, you could not stay. Now, wherever you wander, the wildflowers bloom and love is eternal. Her heart’s great room is your resting place. ... Await by the door her remembered step, her arms’ warm embraces, that gathered you in. Sleep, child, and remember. Love need not regret its moment of weakness, for that is its strength, And when you awaken, she will be there, smiling, at the Rainbow Bridge. Oz is the Boss! by Michael R. Burch Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! He barks like a tyrant for treats and a hydrant; his voice far more regal than mere greyhound or beagle; his serfs must obey him or his yipping will slay them! Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! Xander the Joyous by Michael R. Burch Xander the Joyous came here to prove: Love can be playful! Love can have moves! Now Xander the Joyous bounds around heaven, waiting for his mommies, one of the SEVEN ― the Seven Great Saints of the Great Canine Race who evangelize Love throughout all Time and Space. Amen Mary, Mary by Michael R. Burch Mary, Mary, sweet yet contrary, how do your puppies grow? With sugar and spice and everything nice, and Mama Beth loving them so! Lady’s Favor: Ye Noble Ballade of Sir Dog and the Butterfly by Michael R. Burch Sir was such a gallant man! When he saw his Lady cry and beg him to send her a Butterfly, what else could he do, but comply? From heaven, he found a Monarch regal and able to defy north winds and a chilly sky; now Sir has his wings and can fly! When our gallant little dog Sir was unable to live any longer, my wife Beth asked him send her a sign, in the form of a butterfly, that Sir and her mother were reunited and together in heaven. It was cold weather, in the thirties. We rarely see Monarch butterflies in our area, even in the warmer months. But after Sir had been put to sleep, to spare him any further suffering, Beth found a Monarch butterfly in our back yard. It appeared to be lifeless, but she brought it inside, breathed on it, and it returned to life. The Monarch lived with us for another five days, with Beth feeding it fruit juice and Gatorade on a Scrubbie that it could crawl over like a flower. Beth is convinced that Sir sent her the message she had requested. Solo’s Watch by Michael R. Burch Solo was a stray who found a safe place to stay with a warm and loving band, safe at last from whatever cruel hand made him flinch in his dreams. Now he wanders the clear-running streams that converge at the Rainbow’s End and the Bridge where kind Angels attend to all souls who are ready to ascend. And always he looks for those who hugged him and held him close, who kissed him and called him dear and gave him a home free of fear, to welcome them to his home, here. Buffy by Michael R. Burch Buffy is fluffy but never stuffy. Though she runs forever, she never gets huffy. The perfect puppy. Prince Kiwi the Great by Michael R. Burch Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Prince Kiwi commands us with his regal air: “Come, humans, and serve me, or I’ll yank your hair!” Kiwi cries “Kree! Kree!” when he wants to be fed ... suns, preens, flutters, showers, then it’s off to bed. Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Kiwi is our family’s green-cheeked parakeet. Parakeets need to sleep around 12 hours per day, hence the pun on “bright” and “half the day.” Keywords: dog, dogs, canine, love, loyal, loyalty, friendship, companionship, bark, barking, soul, soulful, sweet, bossy, angel, angels, heaven, Rainbow Bridge
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Social media's intent was to spread authentic information among people but a few motivated by their selfish motives used it to generate those flocks which easily form conjectures just on the basis of baseless accusations disseminated from unknown sources and keep on barking with profanities on others.
0
Sep 30, 2020
Sep 30, 2020 at 8:13 AM UTC
Untitled (21)
I don't bite... Hell. These days I don't even bark. No bite, no bark, nothing. Being tired tires you. Plus. I got nothing to bite.
0
May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020 at 12:44 PM UTC
Bite
These are poems about dogs and doggerel about dogs... Dog Daze by Michael R. Burch Sweet Oz is a soulful snuggler; he really is one of the best. Sometimes in bed he snuggles my head, though mostly he plops on my chest. I think Oz was made to love from the first ray of light to the dark, but his great love for me is exceeded (oh gee!) by his Truly Great Passion: to Bark. Epitaph for a Lambkin by Michael R. Burch for Melody, the prettiest, sweetest and fluffiest dog ever Now that Melody has been laid to rest Angels will know what it means to be blessed. Amen This Dog by Rabindranath Tagore loose translation/interpretation/moderniz     ation by Michael R. Burch Each morning this dog, who has become quite attached to me, sits silently at my feet until, gently caressing his head, I acknowledge his company. This simple recognition gives my companion such joy he shudders with sheer delight. Among all languageless creatures he alone has seen through man entire— has seen beyond what is good or bad in him to such a depth he can lay down his life for the sake of love alone. Now it is he who shows me the way through this unfathomable world throbbing with life. When I see his deep devotion, his offer of his whole being, I fail to comprehend... How, through sheer instinct, has he discovered whatever it is that he knows? With his anxious piteous looks he cannot communicate his understanding and yet somehow has succeeded in conveying to me out of the entire creation the true loveworthiness of man. My Dog Died by Pablo Neruda loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch My dog died; so I buried him in the backyard garden next to some rusted machine. One day I'll rejoin him, over there, but for now he's gone with his shaggy mane, his crude manners and his cold, clammy nose, while I, the atheist who never believed in any heaven for human beings, now believe in a paradise I'm unfit to enter. Yes, I somehow now believe in a heavenly kennel where my dog awaits my arrival wagging his tail in furious friendship! But I'll not indulge in sadness here: why bewail a companion who was never servile? His friendship was more like that of a porcupine preserving its prickly autonomy. His was the friendship of a distant star with no more intimacy than true friendship called for and no false demonstrations: he never clambered over me coating my clothes with mange; he never assaulted my knee like dogs obsessed with *** But he used to gaze up at me, giving me the attention my ego demanded, while helping this vainglorious man understand my concerns were none of his. Aye, and with those bright eyes so much purer than mine, he'd gaze up at me contentedly; it was a look he reserved for me alone all his entire sweet, gentle life, always merely there, never troubling me, never demanding anything. Aye, and often I envied his energetic tail as we strode the shores of Isla Negra together, in winter weather, wild birds swarming skyward as my golden-maned friend leapt about, supercharged by the sea's electric surges, sniffing away wildly, his tail held ***** his face suffused with the salt spray. Joy! Joy! Joy! As only dogs experience joy in the shameless exuberance of their guiltless spirits. Thus there are no sad good-byes for my dog who died; we never once lied to each other. He died, he's gone, I buried him; that's all there is to it. Bed Head, or, the Ballad of Beth and her Fur Babies by Michael R. Burch When Beth and her babies prepare for “good night” sweet rituals of kisses and cuddles commence. First Wickett, the eldest, whose mane has grown light with the wisdom of age and advanced senescence is tucked in, “just right.” Then Mary, the mother, is smothered with kisses in a way that befits such an angelic missus. Then Melody, lambkin, and sweet, soulful Oz and cute, clever Xander all clap their clipped paws and follow sweet Beth to their high nightly roost where they’ll sleep on her head (or, perhaps, her caboose). Excoriation of a Treat Slave by Michael R. Burch I am his Highness’s dog at Kew. Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? —Alexander Pope We practice our fierce Yapping, for when the treat slaves come they’ll grant Us our desire. (They really are that dumb!) They’ll never catch Us napping — our Ears pricked, keen and sharp. When they step into Our parlor, We’ll leap awake, and Bark. But one is rather doltish; he doesn’t understand the meaning of Our savage, imperial, wild Command. The others are quite docile and bow to Us on cue. We think the dull one wrote a poem about some Dog from Kew who never grasped Our secret, whose mind stayed think, and dark. It’s a question of obedience conveyed by a Lordly Bark. But as for playing fetch, well, that’s another matter. We think the dullard’s also as mad as any hatter and doesn’t grasp his duty to fling Us slobbery ***** which We’d return to him, mincingly, here in Our royal halls. Wickett by Michael R. Burch Wickett, sweet Ewok, Wickett, old Soul, Wicket, brave Warrior, though no longer whole . . . You gave us your All. You gave us your Best. You taught us to Love, like all of the Blessed Angels and Saints of good human stock. You barked the Great Bark. You walked the True Walk. Now Wickett, dear Child and incorrigible Duffer, we commend you to God that you no longer suffer. May you dash through the Stars like the Wickett of old and never feel hunger and never know cold and be reunited with all our Good Tribe — with Harmony and Paw-Paw and Mary beside. Go now with our Love as the great Choir sings that Wickett, our Wickett, has at last earned his Wings! The Resting Place by Michael R. Burch for Harmony Sleep, then, child; you were dearly loved. Sleep, and remember her well-loved face, strong arms that would lift you, soft hands that would move with love’s infinite grace, such tender caresses! ... When autumn came early, you could not stay. Now, wherever you wander, the wildflowers bloom and love is eternal. Her heart’s great room is your resting place. ... Await by the door her remembered step, her arms’ warm embraces, that gathered you in. Sleep, child, and remember. Love need not regret its moment of weakness, for that is its strength, And when you awaken, she will be there, smiling, at the Rainbow Bridge. Oz is the Boss! by Michael R. Burch Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! He barks like a tyrant for treats and a hydrant; his voice far more regal than mere greyhound or beagle; his serfs must obey him or his yipping will slay them! Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! Xander the Joyous by Michael R. Burch Xander the Joyous came here to prove: Love can be playful! Love can have moves! Now Xander the Joyous bounds around heaven, waiting for his mommies, one of the SEVEN ― the Seven Great Saints of the Great Canine Race who evangelize Love throughout all Time and Space. Amen Mary, Mary by Michael R. Burch Mary, Mary, sweet yet contrary, how do your puppies grow? With sugar and spice and everything nice, and Mama Beth loving them so! Lady’s Favor: Ye Noble Ballade of Sir Dog and the Butterfly by Michael R. Burch Sir was such a gallant man! When he saw his Lady cry and beg him to send her a Butterfly, what else could he do, but comply? From heaven, he found a Monarch regal and able to defy north winds and a chilly sky; now Sir has his wings and can fly! When our gallant little dog Sir was unable to live any longer, my wife Beth asked him send her a sign, in the form of a butterfly, that Sir and her mother were reunited and together in heaven. It was cold weather, in the thirties. We rarely see Monarch butterflies in our area, even in the warmer months. But after Sir had been put to sleep, to spare him any further suffering, Beth found a Monarch butterfly in our back yard. It appeared to be lifeless, but she brought it inside, breathed on it, and it returned to life. The Monarch lived with us for another five days, with Beth feeding it fruit juice and Gatorade on a Scrubbie that it could crawl over like a flower. Beth is convinced that Sir sent her the message she had requested. Solo’s Watch by Michael R. Burch Solo was a stray who found a safe place to stay with a warm and loving band, safe at last from whatever cruel hand made him flinch in his dreams. Now he wanders the clear-running streams that converge at the Rainbow’s End and the Bridge where kind Angels attend to all souls who are ready to ascend. And always he looks for those who hugged him and held him close, who kissed him and called him dear and gave him a home free of fear, to welcome them to his home, here. Buffy by Michael R. Burch Buffy is fluffy but never stuffy. Though she runs forever, she never gets huffy. The perfect puppy. Prince Kiwi the Great by Michael R. Burch Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Prince Kiwi commands us with his regal air: “Come, humans, and serve me, or I’ll yank your hair!” Kiwi cries “Kree! Kree!” when he wants to be fed ... suns, preens, flutters, showers, then it’s off to bed. Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Kiwi is our family’s green-cheeked parakeet. Parakeets need to sleep around 12 hours per day, hence the pun on “bright” and “half the day.” Keywords: dog, dogs, canine, love, loyal, loyalty, friendship, companionship, bark, barking, soul, soulful, sweet, bossy, angel, angels, heaven, Rainbow Bridge
0
Apr 12, 2020
Apr 12, 2020 at 6:02 PM UTC
Dog Daze: Poems about Dogs
These are poems about dogs and doggerel about dogs... Dog Daze by Michael R. Burch Sweet Oz is a soulful snuggler; he really is one of the best. Sometimes in bed he snuggles my head, though mostly he plops on my chest. I think Oz was made to love from the first ray of light to the dark, but his great love for me is exceeded (oh gee!) by his Truly Great Passion: to Bark. Epitaph for a Lambkin by Michael R. Burch for Melody, the prettiest, sweetest and fluffiest dog ever Now that Melody has been laid to rest Angels will know what it means to be blessed. Amen This Dog by Rabindranath Tagore loose translation/interpretation/moderniz     ation by Michael R. Burch Each morning this dog, who has become quite attached to me, sits silently at my feet until, gently caressing his head, I acknowledge his company. This simple recognition gives my companion such joy he shudders with sheer delight. Among all languageless creatures he alone has seen through man entire— has seen beyond what is good or bad in him to such a depth he can lay down his life for the sake of love alone. Now it is he who shows me the way through this unfathomable world throbbing with life. When I see his deep devotion, his offer of his whole being, I fail to comprehend... How, through sheer instinct, has he discovered whatever it is that he knows? With his anxious piteous looks he cannot communicate his understanding and yet somehow has succeeded in conveying to me out of the entire creation the true loveworthiness of man. My Dog Died by Pablo Neruda loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch My dog died; so I buried him in the backyard garden next to some rusted machine. One day I'll rejoin him, over there, but for now he's gone with his shaggy mane, his crude manners and his cold, clammy nose, while I, the atheist who never believed in any heaven for human beings, now believe in a paradise I'm unfit to enter. Yes, I somehow now believe in a heavenly kennel where my dog awaits my arrival wagging his tail in furious friendship! But I'll not indulge in sadness here: why bewail a companion who was never servile? His friendship was more like that of a porcupine preserving its prickly autonomy. His was the friendship of a distant star with no more intimacy than true friendship called for and no false demonstrations: he never clambered over me coating my clothes with mange; he never assaulted my knee like dogs obsessed with *** But he used to gaze up at me, giving me the attention my ego demanded, while helping this vainglorious man understand my concerns were none of his. Aye, and with those bright eyes so much purer than mine, he'd gaze up at me contentedly; it was a look he reserved for me alone all his entire sweet, gentle life, always merely there, never troubling me, never demanding anything. Aye, and often I envied his energetic tail as we strode the shores of Isla Negra together, in winter weather, wild birds swarming skyward as my golden-maned friend leapt about, supercharged by the sea's electric surges, sniffing away wildly, his tail held ***** his face suffused with the salt spray. Joy! Joy! Joy! As only dogs experience joy in the shameless exuberance of their guiltless spirits. Thus there are no sad good-byes for my dog who died; we never once lied to each other. He died, he's gone, I buried him; that's all there is to it. Bed Head, or, the Ballad of Beth and her Fur Babies by Michael R. Burch When Beth and her babies prepare for “good night” sweet rituals of kisses and cuddles commence. First Wickett, the eldest, whose mane has grown light with the wisdom of age and advanced senescence is tucked in, “just right.” Then Mary, the mother, is smothered with kisses in a way that befits such an angelic missus. Then Melody, lambkin, and sweet, soulful Oz and cute, clever Xander all clap their clipped paws and follow sweet Beth to their high nightly roost where they’ll sleep on her head (or, perhaps, her caboose). Excoriation of a Treat Slave by Michael R. Burch I am his Highness’s dog at Kew. Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you? —Alexander Pope We practice our fierce Yapping, for when the treat slaves come they’ll grant Us our desire. (They really are that dumb!) They’ll never catch Us napping — our Ears pricked, keen and sharp. When they step into Our parlor, We’ll leap awake, and Bark. But one is rather doltish; he doesn’t understand the meaning of Our savage, imperial, wild Command. The others are quite docile and bow to Us on cue. We think the dull one wrote a poem about some Dog from Kew who never grasped Our secret, whose mind stayed think, and dark. It’s a question of obedience conveyed by a Lordly Bark. But as for playing fetch, well, that’s another matter. We think the dullard’s also as mad as any hatter and doesn’t grasp his duty to fling Us slobbery ***** which We’d return to him, mincingly, here in Our royal halls. Wickett by Michael R. Burch Wickett, sweet Ewok, Wickett, old Soul, Wicket, brave Warrior, though no longer whole . . . You gave us your All. You gave us your Best. You taught us to Love, like all of the Blessed Angels and Saints of good human stock. You barked the Great Bark. You walked the True Walk. Now Wickett, dear Child and incorrigible Duffer, we commend you to God that you no longer suffer. May you dash through the Stars like the Wickett of old and never feel hunger and never know cold and be reunited with all our Good Tribe — with Harmony and Paw-Paw and Mary beside. Go now with our Love as the great Choir sings that Wickett, our Wickett, has at last earned his Wings! The Resting Place by Michael R. Burch for Harmony Sleep, then, child; you were dearly loved. Sleep, and remember her well-loved face, strong arms that would lift you, soft hands that would move with love’s infinite grace, such tender caresses! ... When autumn came early, you could not stay. Now, wherever you wander, the wildflowers bloom and love is eternal. Her heart’s great room is your resting place. ... Await by the door her remembered step, her arms’ warm embraces, that gathered you in. Sleep, child, and remember. Love need not regret its moment of weakness, for that is its strength, And when you awaken, she will be there, smiling, at the Rainbow Bridge. Oz is the Boss! by Michael R. Burch Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! He barks like a tyrant for treats and a hydrant; his voice far more regal than mere greyhound or beagle; his serfs must obey him or his yipping will slay them! Oz is the boss! Because? Because... Because of the wonderful things he does! Xander the Joyous by Michael R. Burch Xander the Joyous came here to prove: Love can be playful! Love can have moves! Now Xander the Joyous bounds around heaven, waiting for his mommies, one of the SEVEN ― the Seven Great Saints of the Great Canine Race who evangelize Love throughout all Time and Space. Amen Mary, Mary by Michael R. Burch Mary, Mary, sweet yet contrary, how do your puppies grow? With sugar and spice and everything nice, and Mama Beth loving them so! Lady’s Favor: Ye Noble Ballade of Sir Dog and the Butterfly by Michael R. Burch Sir was such a gallant man! When he saw his Lady cry and beg him to send her a Butterfly, what else could he do, but comply? From heaven, he found a Monarch regal and able to defy north winds and a chilly sky; now Sir has his wings and can fly! When our gallant little dog Sir was unable to live any longer, my wife Beth asked him send her a sign, in the form of a butterfly, that Sir and her mother were reunited and together in heaven. It was cold weather, in the thirties. We rarely see Monarch butterflies in our area, even in the warmer months. But after Sir had been put to sleep, to spare him any further suffering, Beth found a Monarch butterfly in our back yard. It appeared to be lifeless, but she brought it inside, breathed on it, and it returned to life. The Monarch lived with us for another five days, with Beth feeding it fruit juice and Gatorade on a Scrubbie that it could crawl over like a flower. Beth is convinced that Sir sent her the message she had requested. Solo’s Watch by Michael R. Burch Solo was a stray who found a safe place to stay with a warm and loving band, safe at last from whatever cruel hand made him flinch in his dreams. Now he wanders the clear-running streams that converge at the Rainbow’s End and the Bridge where kind Angels attend to all souls who are ready to ascend. And always he looks for those who hugged him and held him close, who kissed him and called him dear and gave him a home free of fear, to welcome them to his home, here. Buffy by Michael R. Burch Buffy is fluffy but never stuffy. Though she runs forever, she never gets huffy. The perfect puppy. Prince Kiwi the Great by Michael R. Burch Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Prince Kiwi commands us with his regal air: “Come, humans, and serve me, or I’ll yank your hair!” Kiwi cries “Kree! Kree!” when he wants to be fed ... suns, preens, flutters, showers, then it’s off to bed. Kiwi’s a pee-wee but incredibly bright: he sleeps half the day, pretending it’s night! Kiwi is our family’s green-cheeked parakeet. Parakeets need to sleep around 12 hours per day, hence the pun on “bright” and “half the day.” Keywords: dog, dogs, canine, love, loyal, loyalty, friendship, companionship, bark, barking, soul, soulful, sweet, bossy, angel, angels, heaven, Rainbow Bridge
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Dog Daze by Michael R. Burch Sweet Oz is a soulful snuggler; he really is one of the best. Sometimes in bed he snuggles my head, though mostly he plops on my chest. I think Oz was made to love from the first ray of light to the dark, but his great love for me is exceeded (oh gee!) by his Truly Great Passion: to Bark. Keywords/Tags: dog, soul, soulful, snuggle, snuggles, love, bark, barks, barking, passion
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Apr 10, 2020
Apr 10, 2020 at 6:21 AM UTC
Dog Daze
You live where you die  and die where you live. You give what you've got When that's all you have to give. Don't be afraid to feel like a star looks; so light, bright, high as a kite. And remember if you feel someone's bite is worse than their bark, the bark is usually worse than the bite.
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Dec 23, 2019
Dec 23, 2019 at 8:37 AM UTC
Perspective
Reading some of my poetry, she said, “Are you barking up the wrong tree?” I knew what she meant, for this art is not something I had learnt. Tearing up a bark is easy, matching words made me queasy. I knew what she meant, yet I was not ready to vent. Dreaming is a daily ritual, writing needs to flow as natural, I knew what she meant, yet I had a thoughtful bent. I started to read more, bark became paper to teach me some more, I knew what she meant, yes, a slight nudge from her has been god sent.
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Feb 21, 2020
Feb 21, 2020 at 3:42 PM UTC
Paper Tree
Oh, tree... Please listen to me? You don't have to do anything... Just listen as I sing... I've no idea what I should do... I can only talk to you... I wonder if I can wrap my arms around your bark... Maybe then I won't feel so dark? If I take one of your leaves will you be hurt? Will your roots dig deeper in the dirt?
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Jan 30, 2020
Jan 30, 2020 at 6:50 AM UTC
22:
What is a dogs life Eating, pooping and barking Waiting for you to arrive Checking out the garbage cans Hanging around on the couch Sleeping, sleeping and sleeping Asking you to please pet me Can we go for a walk now Answering the door with barks A joyous FAMILY member A beautiful soul Dog backwards is God Very appropriate name Cherish your together time....! Brian Hill - 2019 # 238
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Sep 22, 2019
Sep 22, 2019 at 9:56 AM UTC
Ode to DOGS - Haiku
Never ever call me that name again ever Understood, poacher ? You know ! This is one reason I mark my territory, I don’t give my flesh out easily I have too much pain associated With my birth name. Write it down in capital letters My name is PANGOLIN MUSE ! Want me to spell it for you ? P – A – N – G – O – L – I – N M-U- S - E ! PANGOLIN MUSE! Stress on the first syllable just as mandolin, please ! That’ll be it for phonetics ! And don’t call me ever something else whatever, will you ! I’m serious ! Weaned I am not yet ! Or I’ll Flame you with my stinky fluid, Secretive scent from way over down there, From my solitary underground burrows ! Or I’ll flame you with my sticky tongue, Whoever you are Under the bark ! Or I’ll flame you with eyes wide shut You know I can hypnotize ! I’m no nocturnal Delicacy I’m no red hot ant ! Wanna please me ? You know what ? Call me just Muse And put yourself in position; One Two Three Scales in Four Five Six Scales out Seven Eight Nine Curl up Ten Eleven Twelve Roll baby roll Let do the ant and pangolin dance Stick that tongue out And try to reach the furthest you can but first are you willing to hear that old lullaby ? Eyes naked Claws Naked. We have just started the initial steps. Step one : We are fully dressed still. You’re the ant, I’m the pangolin, today ! Tomorrow, vice versa ! Or you’d rather try the contrary ? Or you’d rather toss head and tails ? On top or under the bark ? Horizontal or vertical ? Perpendicular or Parallel ? We’re both the visitors of the same bark Faraway Feathers of the same Wild Wordsmith Who dreamt once ant and pangolin So let’s start that ant and pangolin dance. Now let me slide into you Like a thirsty moon-mosquito At the nape of your neck ! Or you’d rather have me Dive into the very abyss of your niples ? Let me soothe you softly with my wings of fire Oh I’ve been yearning for so long For those pomegranates of you To quench my thirst On those purple pillows.
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Aug 21, 2019
Aug 21, 2019 at 2:40 AM UTC
Never ever call me that name again ever
Never ever call me that name again ever Understood, poacher ? You know ! This is one reason I mark my territory, I don’t give my flesh out easily I have too much pain associated With my birth name. Write it down in capital letters My name is PANGOLIN MUSE ! Want me to spell it for you ? P – A – N – G – O – L – I – N M-U- S - E ! PANGOLIN MUSE! Stress on the first syllable just as mandolin, please ! That’ll be it for phonetics ! And don’t call me ever something else whatever, will you ! I’m serious ! Weaned I am not yet ! Or I’ll Flame you with my stinky fluid, Secretive scent from way over down there, From my solitary underground burrows ! Or I’ll flame you with my sticky tongue, Whoever you are Under the bark ! Or I’ll flame you with eyes wide shut You know I can hypnotize ! I’m no nocturnal Delicacy I’m no red hot ant ! Wanna please me ? You know what ? Call me just Muse And put yourself in position; One Two Three Scales in Four Five Six Scales out Seven Eight Nine Curl up Ten Eleven Twelve Roll baby roll Let do the ant and pangolin dance Stick that tongue out And try to reach the furthest you can but first are you willing to hear that old lullaby ? Eyes naked Claws Naked. We have just started the initial steps. Step one : We are fully dressed still. You’re the ant, I’m the pangolin, today ! Tomorrow, vice versa ! Or you’d rather try the contrary ? Or you’d rather toss head and tails ? On top or under the bark ? Horizontal or vertical ? Perpendicular or Parallel ? We’re both the visitors of the same bark Faraway Feathers of the same Wild Wordsmith Who dreamt once ant and pangolin So let’s start that ant and pangolin dance. Now let me slide into you Like a thirsty moon-mosquito At the nape of your neck ! Or you’d rather have me Dive into the very abyss of your niples ? Let me soothe you softly with my wings of fire Oh I’ve been yearning for so long For those pomegranates of you To quench my thirst On those purple pillows.
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It's too early to bark, I told my dog The neighbors are sleeping, like a log Let's not wake them up, for a little while yet They like to sleep in, or did you forget Sleeping in is a challenge, for some, but not all I like to rise early to see that new ball Colors of the morning are often, grandiose If you sleep in you miss it, and I need that first dose Brian Hill - 2019 # 186
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Jul 26, 2019
Jul 26, 2019 at 7:41 PM UTC
Don't Bark...!
Ode to Dogs...To Dylan Playtime is what it sounds like But the methods of play can change Sometimes it's the ball, but oh my God It's often, quite often, really strange They run and run then plop on the ground Panting away all their stress They rise up and bark, then run some more And that wears us out, I confess How do they do it, I want to know Stealing our hearts so complete It's as if they know and require so little And that fact, I know, is concrete They sometimes require a patient hand And sometimes that hand is stern They learn so much and love so hard What can we give back in return All they do is love us, And all they want is our joy To know it is so simple, Has to be some kind of ploy Dogs are special, in all sorts of way From service to the saving of lives How could one such creature have all of these traits And not even stop to think twice To say your dog is family Is always the way go They come to our lives in so many ways But leaving is harder you know They do not fear much of anything Except fireworks and thunder for sure Death is not, something they fear Because life to them is so pure When it's time for them to leave us And go over ”The Rainbow Bridge” The fear of dying is not on their mind It's the journey they take to the edge Brian Hill - 2019 # 166 Dedicated to Dylan, (blue scarf) our 13 1/2 year old Goldlendoodle who went over the rainbow bridge today 1/31/2006 - 7/8/2019
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Jul 9, 2019
Jul 9, 2019 at 8:59 AM UTC
To Dylan...
Does your dog bark, ours sure do They bark and bark then go find a shoe They sleep all day in the cutest position It’s hard to explain their crazy exhibition What is it about them that steals your devotion It’s the way they love, without thought or commotion Time spent with dogs is certainly sublime They make for a full life with love that is blind... Brian Hill - 2019 # 157
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Jun 27, 2019
Jun 27, 2019 at 9:19 AM UTC
Dog Love...
Our names carved, With a rusty penknife, Into the bark of a random tree; Just words on paper, really, From me to you; and you to me.
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May 2, 2019
May 2, 2019 at 3:27 AM UTC
Words on Paper
In the window Waiting for her day Wishing for someone to come soon And take her home to stay The room quiet and still Sitting in the dark Alone and always thinking Of the leaves, the trees, the bark Patience, faith and will Day turns to night Hope desire, strength Darkness turns to light
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Apr 4, 2019
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:27 AM UTC
Bark
I press my ear against her soft bark, Damp and darkened by the cloud’s tears. I hear an echo that envelopes my mind- A familiar voice, without a face or a name- she is a vibration, she is a feeling. Looking up, i watch her branches split the sky like an earth quake shattering the heavens. Spanish moss drips down like solidified rain drops, frozen in time. I sit upon her roots and dig my barren feet into the cool dirt Amongst the acorns and shedding of her hair. My nose is met with an earthly scent- a reminder to breathe. This old tree watches lifetimes pass as the sun descends below the Earth, the moon rises into the ether, the stars wink at sleeping flowers, and the planets watch us dream. I stay beside her until twilight cloaks the sky. This old tree wears wisdom like a silken robe, So beautiful in every crack and crevice of her body. I count the stars with her until numbers turn to the sounds of beetle’s banter. We all laugh together, And fall asleep in the embrace of existence
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Feb 27, 2019
Feb 27, 2019 at 7:52 PM UTC
The Southern Tree
Dogs have habits, you bet they do. They run and play, then eat and poo. They Sleep all day, zoom, zoom all night. They bark and bark, at something in sight. They wait at the window or wait by the door. To say hello to their people with eyes we adore. Let's go for walk, they seem to be saying. Really, oh really, that's my kind of playing! They love without boundaries, they give the same way. They are really true family and never, never betray. Without them we are lost, so much that it hurts. Pay attention to their habits, life with them, JUST WORKS. Brian Hill - 2019#42
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Feb 22, 2019
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:14 AM UTC
K9 Habits