Dora,
I quite like this and any comments I have are queries rather than
objections. Is embarrassed too complex a feeling for a dog? - (tho' as has
been pointed out it need not be a dog. Bob could be an armadillo.) Not sure
I can picture Bob spiralling down. Also a human head is morphologically
different form a dog's head (re Who will scratch between my ears?).
I end up with two possible interpretations, that Bob really is asleep and
the protagonist longs for more than canine company, or that sleep represents
death (which is a tragedy for dog owners equivalent to losing a family
member) and the poem is a bitter-sweet memory of Bob while still alive.
Colin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anti Dora" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 12:18 AM
Subject: New: Bob.
> Bob.
>
> When a car slows or seems to stop
> before the curve into our drive,
> Bob hurtles to the window,
> scrambles to the sill
> in a slurry of cushions.
> A car-door slams,
> an engine accelerates,
> and he turns, embarrassed;
> his head lolling,
> he slides through cushions
> to nuzzle my toes.
> I stroke his throat
> and scratch between his ears.
> He spirals down upon himself
> with little moans
> and groans of pleasure.
>
> The fire crackles,
> the clock ticks,
> I read my book.
> Bob sleeps.
>
> Who will scratch between my ears
> to alleviate my sense of loss?
>
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