[15 words or less] Towel Dog

15WOLs

Photo: Laura Purdie Salas

Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines are here)!

Three things this makes me think of:

1) Cruise
2) Pet rocks
3) Traction

And here’s my first draft!

What My Pet Rock Can’t Do
Mom: Bark. Pee. Bite.
Me: Wag. Beg. Love.
–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

Now it’s your turn! Don’t overthink it. Just have fun with it–IN 15 WORDS OR LESS!?Seriously. There’s only one rule?for your whole poem. Starting next week, poetry elves will delete comments?containing poems longer than 15 words.?You have been warned :>)

168 Responses

  1. The Ice Puppy

    Don’t Cry! I’m here to play!
    Make the ouchies go away
    sooth aches, calm pains
    Staying til I melt away

    UGH I seem to be going over a lot recently… Just trying to make it sound good… 🙂 Love this picture!

    1. That’s what a real puppy can do, and a substitute puppy could help.
      I like your idea.

    2. Ha! We had our little ice cube bunny in our freezer for years–even after our girls were teens:>) (Advance warning: poems longer than 15 words will start being hidden in the future–a few reasons too complicated to go into here. I love reading your poems and want them to be shared here, so please make sure to stick to 15 words or less. It’s extra tough with rhyming poems, I know! One of the reasons I rarely rhyme on 15WOL day:>)

        1. Hehe–who knew poetry was so cut-throat, right? I always look forward to your poems, though–please keep coming by and sharing:>)

    3. I like your poem, Amelia. I never had an ice puppy myself. I see that Laura wants us to stick to the 15 word limit!! I see a way you could revise this to a nice 15 word version so send me an email if you want. I can also see why you like the 4 line rhyming version you ended up with. Keep on writing. It is so nice to see you on here each week. I have been trying to make this a priority, but I have been busy. I think I need an ice puppy, though!!! I find the word limit really forces me to think! And some Thursday mornings, my brain is not ready!!! I admire those who are young and agile and disciplined. 🙂

  2. The Ice Puppy

    Don’t Cry! I’m here to play!
    Make the ouchies go away
    sooth aches, calm pains
    Staying til I melt away

    UGH I seem to be going over a lot recently… Just trying to make it sound good… 🙂 Love this picture!

    1. That’s what a real puppy can do, and a substitute puppy could help.
      I like your idea.

    2. Ha! We had our little ice cube bunny in our freezer for years–even after our girls were teens:>) (Advance warning: poems longer than 15 words will start being hidden in the future–a few reasons too complicated to go into here. I love reading your poems and want them to be shared here, so please make sure to stick to 15 words or less. It’s extra tough with rhyming poems, I know! One of the reasons I rarely rhyme on 15WOL day:>)

        1. Hehe–who knew poetry was so cut-throat, right? I always look forward to your poems, though–please keep coming by and sharing:>)

    3. I like your poem, Amelia. I never had an ice puppy myself. I see that Laura wants us to stick to the 15 word limit!! I see a way you could revise this to a nice 15 word version so send me an email if you want. I can also see why you like the 4 line rhyming version you ended up with. Keep on writing. It is so nice to see you on here each week. I have been trying to make this a priority, but I have been busy. I think I need an ice puppy, though!!! I find the word limit really forces me to think! And some Thursday mornings, my brain is not ready!!! I admire those who are young and agile and disciplined. 🙂

  3. What an adorable picture! Love the two perspectives in your poem, Laura. Here’s mine:

    Dripping dry
    after showers now.
    Could not afford
    a real dog.
    Mom had an idea …

    1. Hi ellie,
      This reminds me of the old saying: Be careful what you wish for! Your poem made me smile!

  4. What an adorable picture! Love the two perspectives in your poem, Laura. Here’s mine:

    Dripping dry
    after showers now.
    Could not afford
    a real dog.
    Mom had an idea …

    1. Hi ellie,
      This reminds me of the old saying: Be careful what you wish for! Your poem made me smile!

    1. I love your words — “fluffy toughie” — and your idea of soaking up love.

    1. I love your words — “fluffy toughie” — and your idea of soaking up love.

  5. Today’s photo makes me a little blue, although on another day I would have found it quite delightful. (No personal ties to my haiku, I’m just thinking about how some people in politics are literally playing with the lives of children.)

    drug trial…
    under her arm
    a rag dog

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

    1. I like the way you got the d and g sounds in both the problem and the comfort, Diane. So many sucky things kids (and people in general) go through–and so funny what we find comfort in.

    2. Pets comfort, even towel dogs. Maybe they need to allow those kind of helper pets to work in the WH and the Capitol. I know they bring them to hospitals and now there are reading programs that have people let the kids read aloud to dogs! And it helps. You know what they say about lowering BP by having a pet. I was just around a golden retriever who was the calmest, sweetest dog ever and her presence was a huge help to all who were grieving.

  6. Today’s photo makes me a little blue, although on another day I would have found it quite delightful. (No personal ties to my haiku, I’m just thinking about how some people in politics are literally playing with the lives of children.)

    drug trial…
    under her arm
    a rag dog

    Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

    1. I like the way you got the d and g sounds in both the problem and the comfort, Diane. So many sucky things kids (and people in general) go through–and so funny what we find comfort in.

    2. Pets comfort, even towel dogs. Maybe they need to allow those kind of helper pets to work in the WH and the Capitol. I know they bring them to hospitals and now there are reading programs that have people let the kids read aloud to dogs! And it helps. You know what they say about lowering BP by having a pet. I was just around a golden retriever who was the calmest, sweetest dog ever and her presence was a huge help to all who were grieving.

  7. My thoughts immediately went to baby showers where one sees so many creative ways to present a gift, especially the “tiered cake” assembled with disposable diapers and decorated with pins, pacifiers, rattlers, etc.

    The Baby Shower Gift

    I’m soft and hooded,
    ready to snuggle a
    new-born after its first bath.

  8. My thoughts immediately went to baby showers where one sees so many creative ways to present a gift, especially the “tiered cake” assembled with disposable diapers and decorated with pins, pacifiers, rattlers, etc.

    The Baby Shower Gift

    I’m soft and hooded,
    ready to snuggle a
    new-born after its first bath.

  9. Give this doggie
    love and a cuddle.
    He’s house-trained.
    He won’t leave a puddle.

      1. I so agree with all the other comments about your poem, Patricia. Very sweet!

  10. Give this doggie
    love and a cuddle.
    He’s house-trained.
    He won’t leave a puddle.

      1. I so agree with all the other comments about your poem, Patricia. Very sweet!

  11. This photo makes me think of the creative ways gifts are presented at a baby shower.

    The Baby Shower Gift

    I’m soft and hooded,
    ready to snuggle the
    new-born after its first bath.

    1. Oh, I love those little hooded towels, and the animal designs they have on them. Love where your leap of imagination took you, Martha–right to this gentle poem.

  12. This photo makes me think of the creative ways gifts are presented at a baby shower.

    The Baby Shower Gift

    I’m soft and hooded,
    ready to snuggle the
    new-born after its first bath.

    1. Oh, I love those little hooded towels, and the animal designs they have on them. Love where your leap of imagination took you, Martha–right to this gentle poem.

  13. Twisting and tugging at
    My imagination
    Until eventually
    An idea emerges–
    A miracle of persistence.

    1. Sometimes the pictures make me feel that way, too.
      Glad you persisted today. You came up with a good one.

    2. I think we really need to allow our imaginations to twist and spin and let the ideas tug their way into our consciousness! I fear in the new era of test prep schooling that creativity and creative thought will be ignored or worst, squashed and I pray that is not true!! So your poem really reaches me on that level today!

  14. Twisting and tugging at
    My imagination
    Until eventually
    An idea emerges–
    A miracle of persistence.

    1. Sometimes the pictures make me feel that way, too.
      Glad you persisted today. You came up with a good one.

    2. I think we really need to allow our imaginations to twist and spin and let the ideas tug their way into our consciousness! I fear in the new era of test prep schooling that creativity and creative thought will be ignored or worst, squashed and I pray that is not true!! So your poem really reaches me on that level today!

  15. What a fun mini list poem, Laura! Who needs no stinkin’ connector words 😉

    A couplet for me today:

    At bathtime I can be your friend
    and take the chill off your tail end.

    © Michelle Heidenrich Barnes, all rights reserved.

    1. I love snuggling in my robe after especially on the chill winter mornings!! Your poem makes me smile, Michelle!

  16. What a fun mini list poem, Laura! Who needs no stinkin’ connector words 😉

    A couplet for me today:

    At bathtime I can be your friend
    and take the chill off your tail end.

    © Michelle Heidenrich Barnes, all rights reserved.

    1. I love snuggling in my robe after especially on the chill winter mornings!! Your poem makes me smile, Michelle!

    1. Ha! See what too much stress does to a person (or a dog?). At least, that’s what I feel like when I’m stressed. This is awesome!

    1. Ha! See what too much stress does to a person (or a dog?). At least, that’s what I feel like when I’m stressed. This is awesome!

  17. Origami Morning

    Fold, crease, open.
    Fold again.
    Her squares transformed:
    crane, frog, dog.
    I crumple,
    slump,
    fold.

    Love your simple mom/kid pov, Laura (and this sweet towel-pup!)

    1. I love all the verbs. This reminds me of trying to do origami with my teenage daughter — she’s a pro and I am NOT.

    2. That’s the way origami goes for me! “Crumple, slump, fold.” Great word choices.

  18. Origami Morning

    Fold, crease, open.
    Fold again.
    Her squares transformed:
    crane, frog, dog.
    I crumple,
    slump,
    fold.

    Love your simple mom/kid pov, Laura (and this sweet towel-pup!)

    1. I love all the verbs. This reminds me of trying to do origami with my teenage daughter — she’s a pro and I am NOT.

    2. That’s the way origami goes for me! “Crumple, slump, fold.” Great word choices.

  19. Awww.… Laura, your poem reminds me of when I was young and couldn’t have a cat (or dog), due to allergies. Those substitute pets just weren’t the same.

    YOU CAN’T TEACH A TOWEL DOG NEW TRICKS

    Sit!
    Good boy!

    Come!
    Heel!
    Shake!
    Roll over!

    No?

    Okay, then…

    Sit!
    Stay!
    Good boy!

  20. Awww.… Laura, your poem reminds me of when I was young and couldn’t have a cat (or dog), due to allergies. Those substitute pets just weren’t the same.

    YOU CAN’T TEACH A TOWEL DOG NEW TRICKS

    Sit!
    Good boy!

    Come!
    Heel!
    Shake!
    Roll over!

    No?

    Okay, then…

    Sit!
    Stay!
    Good boy!

  21. DOOMED DOG

    Muffled muzzle
    Towel puzzle
    Cabin-mate for traveler.
    Stony stares,
    Saying prayers
    Dreading the?unraveler.
    ? Andria W. Rosenbaum

    1. Hi Andria,
      I love the word play and the story of your poem. Wonderful!!! I am really impressed, but since I know you now, “not quite” as much since I can see you in this poem, too! (This is supposed to be a compliment!)

  22. DOOMED DOG

    Muffled muzzle
    Towel puzzle
    Cabin-mate for traveler.
    Stony stares,
    Saying prayers
    Dreading the?unraveler.
    ? Andria W. Rosenbaum

    1. Hi Andria,
      I love the word play and the story of your poem. Wonderful!!! I am really impressed, but since I know you now, “not quite” as much since I can see you in this poem, too! (This is supposed to be a compliment!)

  23. Fun stuff! I’m a little late this week…

    Puppy

    Fuzzy puppy,
    white mite,
    wag of tail,
    eyes bright.
    No one gladder
    to see
    me.

    ?Kate Coombs

    1. This is lovely, Kate. Lines 2 and 3 especially make me happy. The ending makes me happy in one sense, but very sad in another. Depends how I read it!

  24. Fun stuff! I’m a little late this week…

    Puppy

    Fuzzy puppy,
    white mite,
    wag of tail,
    eyes bright.
    No one gladder
    to see
    me.

    ?Kate Coombs

    1. This is lovely, Kate. Lines 2 and 3 especially make me happy. The ending makes me happy in one sense, but very sad in another. Depends how I read it!

  25. Fun exercise! I’m going for the easy rhyme:

    Towel-Dog Blues

    I’ve figured out why I can’t howl?
    It’s because I’m made of toooOOOOWWWwwwlll!

    I think I might be a word over — do you count the title in the word count?

    1. You’re perfect, Carrie–13 words:>) Nope, the title doesn’t count. I love this rhyme. And I have a beagle, so I get the howling all the time. Very cute!

  26. Fun exercise! I’m going for the easy rhyme:

    Towel-Dog Blues

    I’ve figured out why I can’t howl?
    It’s because I’m made of toooOOOOWWWwwwlll!

    I think I might be a word over — do you count the title in the word count?

    1. You’re perfect, Carrie–13 words:>) Nope, the title doesn’t count. I love this rhyme. And I have a beagle, so I get the howling all the time. Very cute!

  27. Out of the snow
    a frozen puppy
    dashed.
    Jumped into
    my heart and melted me.

    A quick effort before reading all of yours! Cant’ wait. It has been a sad couple of days and I bet this will bring a big smile to my heart!

  28. Out of the snow
    a frozen puppy
    dashed.
    Jumped into
    my heart and melted me.

    A quick effort before reading all of yours! Cant’ wait. It has been a sad couple of days and I bet this will bring a big smile to my heart!

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