Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m glad you’re here.
Here’s a picture taken from our family room. My husband recently converted the room from a theater room with a projector and big screen back into a family room, since we’re trying to sell our house. These railings (it’s a multi-level house, and there are openings from the dining room to the family room) are now exposed for the first time in more than 10 years. Jackie, our beagle, doesn’t know what to make of them. As we were painting the room, he kept sticking his head through the railing to say hi :>) Don’t worry, he never got stuck. There was plenty of room.
This image makes me think of:
- historic tourist attractions where you can pretend to be in the stocks
- an old episode of Designing Women where one of the women–Charlene?–got her head stuck in the railings at the governor’s mansion, I think
- Temple Grandin and her work with cattle, and calming devices, and a young man I used to assist who had autism
And here’s my first draft. [Note: I’m teaching at a Young Author’s Conference all week, so I won’t be able to respond to your poems–but have fun, and feel free to give each other feedback!]
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count)
21 Responses
Want to be closer,
want to see
if what you’re doing
pertains to ME!
Oh how funny. Love the dog’s voice here.
It’s the nose, definitely. And your Jackie has so much personality!
Dog Portrait
I have floppy ears
and brown-and-white toes,
but to capture my essence
paint my nose.
—Kate Coombs
Adorable — that same nose that nudges for attention.
Behind Bars
My nose
reaches beyond
to track your whisky walk
hurried snack
every move
without me
How sad — that last line. Poor puppy gets left out.
Penal Puppy
Here in the slammer,
my guilt laid bare;
peed on the carpet,
chewed the chair.
- Matt Forrest Esenwine
Ha Ha! Nice one, Matt.
Too funny, except when it happens for real. Like your title.
Aw! Reminds me of all those shaming posts with the dogs and their signs, stating their misdeeds!
Late checking in today. Laura we’ll miss your comments but it’s always fun to explore other’s comments. I think everyone captured the adorable beagle personality. Matt, you nailed it! Years ago we had a Beagle and my children named her Fleagle because we rescued her from a litter that was overrun with fleas. She was with us for 14 years.
Unconditional Love
Take my freedom,
blur my pix,
I’ll pay you back
with gentle licks.
Closer please!
This is so sweet and forgiving. Love “gentle licks.”
I like the positive message of yours Laura. Here’s mine:
Doggie Jail — Hear Me Wail
Watching cars
from behind bars
limits the chase.
Ruins the race.
Love your rhymes!
I jumped from dog to another outsider for mine!
online
he scrolls past
posts,
posts,
pictures,
posts –
people parading
their pretty lives.
click.
like.
lonely.
oops forgot to login! 🙂
Ha! Those shaming pictures–hysterical! Jack needs one, because he keeps peeing on the floor. Which is why he’s restricted to the main level (tile floor).
Elissa, that is such a heartfelt, sad poem. Being online can be a comfort or a taunt. Or both at the same time!
A picture of happiness
I definitely not be
Please please pretty please
Set me free
Anne McKenna
DESCRIPTION
Floppy eared,
sad eyed,
wet nosed,
flabby cheeked
mountain of
furry love.
© Charles Waters 2016 all rights reserved.
It’s like you know him:>)