These Things Happen To Other People

[summer_jackel]

I blame this bit of utter doggerel on They Might Be Giants, Kyn, and my collie's strong preference for Standard Poodle bitches as play companions. Perhaps a touch of, er, "inspirational credit" for bloolark, tailypo and my dance instructor as well, with your curly dogs.

***


These Things Happen To Other People

I was bitten at the dog show.
It was quick: a light, sharp graze
And when I turned around and met eyes
darker even than his coat, and challenging
despite his ridiculous haircut,
I stepped back a little.

His handler did not seem to notice.
The other end of my leash wagged and bounced
exuberantly, and licked the scarlet from my hand;
He never became the kind of collie
who is stately and reserved.
We didn’t win that day, but it was fun.
The tall, fine Standard took best of breed;
I came home feverish.

And when the moon rose, heavy and red-stained
the pack did come.
Huge and bristling, yellow-eyed, starlight glinting
on their sharp eyeteeth;
And every last one of them perfectly groomed.

And so we run. In this hectic modern world,
It is hard to find safe places for the hunt;
But was it ever easy?
We have maps and plans, we know
where parkland can be found. There are
plenty of ... rabbits.
Our alpha has an SUV
and we all pile in back some Sunday nights;
a big, hot-breathed and happy mass of fur.

One time she got a speeding ticket;
I will never forget the cop’s expression when
I reached my muzzle out the back window
And licked his face.
Terror without understanding why;
It’s so beautiful.

And so the pack persists.
Sometimes I wonder
how we’ve gotten here, and why, and what’s the point
which is when I remember it is time to run
until there is no need of thinking anymore.
I’ve never taken best of breed
But I am still trying.

Comments

[cphoenix.livejournal.com]

It's not doggerel; it's a science fiction story. Or something like that. Anyway, I liked it a lot.

...My girlfriend says it's beautiful.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Heh, I was almost tempted to do it as a short story, but I don't think I'm much with the prose right now, and it was punchier this way.

[cphoenix.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about this being punchier - more immediate somehow. Fits with the character/mood you're portraying. A short story would require a different voice.

One thing I wonder: When you are trying for best in show, who is your handler?

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

See, that question is something you could go into with a short story, but in the poem, it would have been superfluous detail. Perhaps some members of this particular lycanthrope pack take turns being the handler and showing as the dog, while others choose one role exclusively?

[cphoenix.livejournal.com]

Sure, I agree, it wouldn't improve the poem to answer that question. But it's an intriguing question. Part of the appeal of the poem is that it does leave intriguing questions rather than trying to answer them all.

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

So far, my favorite poem of 2011.

Seriously, though, if I wasn't planning to love you forever regardless, I'd love you forever for writing this.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

<3 <3

I'm glad you liked it...a minimum of one of us had to do SOMETHING with the "lycanthropy via being bitten at a dog show" concept we've been batting around, after all, right? I will continue to await yours.

[smile-n-cuddle.livejournal.com]

I love this poem :)

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D

[tailypo.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Luck will tell you: CURLY DOGS ARE DANGEROUS.

I love it, though, very well written! (I'm super picky about poetry, too.)

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! I had to do something with that "I got bitten at the dog show" idea. I am a little mystified at the frequency of poodles ending up in my poetry.

Bliss loves him some curly bitches. It's pretty hilarious.