The pain of disenchantment cuts like a razor,
It keeps on cutting as you fall back from the bough,
The climbing here is destined to be a failure.
Victory is something, good folk will not allow.
The dog has climbed up the silver gum tree again.
The curious and the judgemental gather round.
They don’t miss an opportunity to complain.
That dog could never live happily on the ground.
The mayor is staring at him and shaking his head,
The counsel hope he'll fall and stop this risky game,
But he won't fall, not this dog, he’d rather be dead.
Better to be free and wild than broken and tame.
I see the citizens chatting to each other.
They really think he will fall. They want him to fall.
They will have a belly laugh with one another.
But that dog won't let them laugh, he’ll just stand tall.
He won't try to reach the top of the silver tree,
He’ll just prove that he can do it and stop a little short,
He'll howl a victorious sounding melody,
The sound of expectation in a noble sport.
Then the good folk below will come to life and hark,
Screaming out to him...."Climb, climb, climb a little more!"
"Hurry, hurry to the top, it will soon be dark!"
He will descend like a soldier back from the war.
And he will look up at the moon but will not bark.
-
Author:
David Wakeling (
Offline) - Published: July 9th, 2025 00:03
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 9
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett
Offline)
Comments4
Don't we all feel like that dog at times, to rebel out of freedom's sake, to do what we are not supposed to do, to have everyone tell us it can't be done and wait to laugh at our failure and when we reach our limit and fulfilled our dream have people egg us on either hoping we will fall or telling us we can do more. But to realize our limit and retire from it when we have proven our point. And the last line can be taken in different ways. Either to look at what is unattainable and not yearn for it or to look at the unattainable and not just howl but determine to do it. Great story David a fave again
Thank you mi amigo for you wonderful critique.As exactly right a usual.
A lovely double sided story being a rebel and going against instruction, then being a fool and pushing things to far, enjoyed the read
It's a dog's life. Thanks for commenting compadre
You are very welcome
What a strange and intriguing story - a rebel dog of an independent mind. Just short of achievement and purposely giving up as if giving a finger to the cheering onlookers. I'm not here to entertain you, as it were, I'm not your pet and to cap it all, he won't even howl at the moon - what a perfect ending. A most enjoyable read. Very well done indeed.
All the very best,
Tony.
You are exactly right. There is a conflict between individuality and obedience. Thank you so much for your insight. Always appreciated.
Excellent write David
Excellent comment Tony36
You're welcome
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.