Your four-legged frame, waggish tail,
tan ears, white stars on a black back
and your intelligent eyes,
moist, nuzzling nose ...
you, Jonty,
died, covered firmly
in sweet cane mulch
and now
the yelps, playful barks,
faithfulness ...
are all clayey brown
around the azalea bush
flowering deeply in pink
petalled brilliance.
Author notes
Prompt:What is lovely never dies,
but passes into other loveliness,
star-dust, or sea-foam, flower or winged air.
~ Thomas Bailey Aldrich
In a list
A contest entry
- what is lovely never dies by Nicolette.
1000 points, ended October 7, 2007, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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very nicely done.
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Again,
thank you.
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My style!
I had to laugh when I read this poem. It is written in my style. I have even made a poem with the same subject, although I spoke about a person and not about an animal. Nicely done Ron.
Anna.
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Dear Anna
I am humbled to think that I approach your inimicable style.
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What can I say....
YOU are a poetry expert,
I am only learning.
Anna.
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I too have furred and feathered friends that live in my heart. This was touching and very sweet. Good luck in the contest.
~Lyrical
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Simply,
Thank you.
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This is lovely and you've really touched my heart with this one. I too have a dog among the flowers. The last two stanzas closed this poem on a high - loved this one and so glad that someone took the contest theme here. Thank you for your entry.
~ Nicolette
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Thank you
Nicolette.
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Very Good
A very good control of words and poetic craft here. The way in which this takes on the prompt is quite interesting...
"and now
the yelps, playful barks,
faithfulness ...
are all clayey brown"
Well, this connects well with the readers too, in the Tolstoyian concept. The intense personal emotions are transferred to a careful choice of words that are capable of evoking similar feelings (though in varying degrees) in those who read it.
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Oh, this brought a tear to my eye. Its so hard losing a pet, they seem to know you better than anyone else. I love the flow and the imagery here. Kudos!
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It's soo hard to lose a pet, the most honest friendship us humans can have sometimes. Unconditional..
this is lovely in sentiment and form.
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Katleen,
simply, thank you.
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enviable
Ron, I jokingly say I want to come back as my dog, and your poem so well embodies the potency of love, life and smiles that partnership represents. A caring without boundaries - where even those of death are beaten back by beauty.
so simple, so pure.
I miss you, my friend. -
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Jane
I am touched.
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As an animal lover I can easy relate to your feelings and with your poem you painted a light spot of memory. Short and touching poem speak a volume.
~Sonja~
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sad and pretty
Your lines show the dog as she was and is, and the azalea bush is a beautiful memorial to her. I had no trouble imagining the scene, and despite the loss, there is no poignancy.
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