Dear Gary,
Seems to me if this is about a dog, there's too much in it beyond a dog's
experience, if it's intended as a metaphor, there are too many explicit
canine references. I think the poem's pulled apart between the two.
Kind regards,
  grasshopper
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary B" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 7:03 PM
Subject: Intermission: The Whimper of a Whipped Dog


Intermission:  The Whimper of a Whipped Dog

Outside the pack's circle,
the mangy mongrel lies head in paws
defeated perhaps never to rise again.
He has been whipped before, but this time
age and old battle scars,
broken claws and empty teeth,
aid his enemies.

World-weary,
he lies in the red, wet dust
and dreams of lavender in France,
Scottish moors (so like home),
the twang of barbeque in Tennessee.
Of Geishas, banana trees and secrets kept
from his masters and those who tried to be.

Of golden apples,
swimming in seas on the moon,
debutants and rusty swords.
The pack moves on, the hound left
to die or live as the Gods of Dogs
(who do not care or interfere
in the death or breath of canines) desire.

Already, skin and bones and fur,
he lies until only a shell remains,
maggots and crows ready to move in.
Until with a shudder,
his fragile frame rises,
staggers, steadies
to trot off down the road.

Mongrel, mutt, cur
he might be,
but his kind were once princes.
And there are still daydreams to hold,
bitches to sniff, pups to cuddle.
Besides it is too damn cold and wet
to die on this dusty, frozen road.

July Stazja and new Gary at: http://gardawg.homestead.com/gardawg.html

*New*  Wild/Eliot  Hyperpoem at:  http://wildhyper.homestead.com/front.html

Poets for Peace.  ¡Poemas sí, balas no!