This Poem was Submitted By: Kenneth R. Patton On Date: 2006-11-30 07:50:37 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Would You Deny Me One of My Small Joys?

As I sit here leashed to my office waiting for my bowl   I am teased with a stick wielded by my friend Bill   I take the bait barking and lunging held back by my chain   But every now and then I get lucky and he holds the stick too close   I SNAP it  out of his hands! Then skulk away into my house   Where I gleefully gnaw away on it until my gums bleed

Copyright © November 2006 Kenneth R. Patton

Additional Notes:
Just a little email exchange!


This Poem was Critiqued By: Gerard A Geiger On Date: 2006-12-14 11:42:54
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Kenneth; Delightful slice out of the life of our best friend. Loved it....especially liked "where I gleefully gnaw away on it until my gums bleed." wonderfully narrated in the first person. Quite entertaining...thank you.... I am so glad I happened by today to read this work. Best always, Gerard


This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2006-12-04 20:05:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
I like this metaphore and think it really works here. I can see you there leashed at your desk waiting for the tease, trained as it were, held at bay and then getting that reward and gnawing away gleefully..so many dogs in jobs we are..this is clever, and I enjoyed it.
This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2006-12-03 14:23:31
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Well, yes, poetic license allows for the slightly less astute (I'm really not all that certain about this) point of view of our canine pets. "Small joys" indeed gives the game away, although I think a frisbee might add a little more to critter pleasure. Saki (H.H. Munro) once wrote a short story about "Tobermory", a cat that could talk. He was the collective pet in a boarding house and liked to prowl about...to the chagrin of all concerned as the case came to be. One day Tobermory decided to quip some of the comments at the dinner table with some fine remarks about what he had observed on his many prowls, who was sneaking to whose room late at night, and who had some other less than alluring habits. The fine tabby was quickly evicted. Your dog is well characterized, even though he can't vocalize, you've paid close attention to his other communication skills. The poem itself is a frolic to read. JCH
This Poem was Critiqued By: Ellen K Lewis On Date: 2006-11-30 23:12:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.54545
Awe, you must be an Odie fan! I love the humor and the twist at the ending. So dry and deliciously satisfying. (pun intended) I have been a fan of yours before. Thank you for coming back with something like this. I'm a little confused in the beginning-when you are 'in the office'....couldn't you be chained to the stoop or something? Or perhaps, a little more info about this office... I really do hope to see you again soon! Keep on writing-the world needs more art in it....Ellen
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2006-11-30 16:43:23
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.54545
Kenneth, This must be your dog leashed [too bad], barking, snaping at a stick, chewing on it till the gums bleed. I have to feel sorry for animals tied up. They are so miserable.....look in his eyes. If you walk him often, or let him in the house it helps. Anyway I'm glad he is noticed and cared about enough to write about him and to play with him. Cats have it made they go and do as they please. Something interesting is using the word 'office'........meaning some person feels like the poor miserable dog when hes at work. Tied to his desk, barking/complaining. When a bone is near you try repeatedly to snatch it from 'Bill'. Then you gnaw on it till you bleed. Neat analogy of being 'a dog' Evil boss ......we're all dogs leashed to something. fun poem. god job. dellena
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-11-30 14:49:41
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.94118
Ken, This is pure delight. Exceptionally well executed from the animals point of view, just love it. Your title drew me in and I definitely was not dissappointed, bravo. This is just what was needed to put a smile on my face this hectic morning, thank you so much. Kudos! Lora
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