Odes to the Dogs
No one knows adventure and unconditional love quite like a dog. These canine creatures keep us focused on the most important things in life: fun, food, and friendship. They keep our hearts rooted in the rhythms of nature, and they communicate their emotions in a way that mirrors our own souls.
Today, the Dandelion Scribes present ten Odes to the Dogs, in honor of our favorite, furry friends. Some of our muses are still with us, and some have passed on to roam the giant, grassy field in the sky. Whether here or there, these dogs are our truest loves, and their magic deserves to be known and remembered through this life & beyond.
Featuring the following poets:
Cheyanne Leonardo, @dithyrambler
Olivia Gilreath, @your_bsflivvv
Lucy Coats, @lucywriter
Paula Dixon, @music_poetry_pics
Mellisa Pascale, @mellisapascale
Frances Denise, @francesdenisepoetry
Paula Leftwich, @paulapaintsart
Cyn & JRay
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
ANIMAL
“You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.” –Mary Oliver
what kind of creature am i?
i ask myself from right outside
where i scratch and claw at the door to your heart,
howl my emptiness into the stars.
you only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves, i hear the wise one say
and so i abandon anguish and ache
and find the faith to pray.
shouldn’t that be instinct for a bold and curious beast?
to cease to beg and yield instead to the favor of belief.
–Cheyanne Leonardo
⚘
A DOG’S DEVOTION
In fields of green, they bound with glee,
With wagging tails and hearts so free.
Loyal friends through thick and thin,
Their love is a treasure deep within.
Eyes that sparkle, full of cheer,
A faithful presence is always near.
Through every joy and every plight,
A dog's devotion shines so bright.
In silent moments, by your side,
They share our world with gentle pride.
In every bark and playful leap,
A bond so pure, a love so deep.
–Olivia Gilreath
⚘
THE OLD BADGER HOUND
There is snow sprinkle on Coniston
today, as if last night’s full moon
had gifted whiteness to his
sharp, sleeping crags. I walk up
the little hill behind the house.
Guardsman trees line the winding path,
upright, bare of their summer uniforms,
stark black shadows against
a sky washed-out blue as robin eggs.
My grizzled badger hound snuffles behind,
blind and deaf to everything but
brown winter rot in front of her nose.
Her big paws trip and tumble
over a fallen sycamore branch,
and I know that too soon,
like the snow, she will be gone.
–Lucy Coats
⚘
LITTLE MAN
I hold your tiny body tight against my chest.
Will your frantic breathing to match mine.
My little fur ball.
This life’s substitute
For the roly pink bundle my body will never produce.
I did not select you.
Pick you from a litter or rescue cage.
No, like most important things in my life
You came barreling in full tilt.
Hell bent on fulfilling or destroying.
Left me no choice but to look into your face,
Whisper, “There you are.”
And you were mine.
It has been many years now.
You will be a teenager next month.
You are nearing your last sunset.
My body prepares for the hole you will leave.
Perhaps in the next life you will get human skin.
Grow lean and tall,
Get to truly be one of the kids,
Make gingerbread houses and eat pizza on Grandma’s couch.
My guess is you will rule the world.
The medicine finally kicks in.
Brings you peace.
Dulls your mind just a bit.
I hate to think of your days playing out in a drunken haze.
At least you are breathing steady.
Rest now, little man.
Curled into the crook of my leg.
Nestled into the well of my heart.
–Paula Dixon
⚘
THE FIRST SUMMER
found something of my dead dog yesterday –
a clump of yellow hair in her collar;
so small and soft, it fell right out and lay
in my cupped hands, as light as a dollar.
it felt like i was paying for some crime
when i heard her wheeze, saw the strangled breath.
still hoped until the vet said it was time;
we called her ‘best’ and then injected death.
i would brush her hair, thick in neck and chest,
release little tumbleweeds in the grass.
we’d watch birds gather the clumps for their nests –
answered prayers, perhaps, from wild bird mass.
there’s something of my dog that rests with me
and props up little birds in mighty trees.
–Mellisa Pascale
⚘
HODGIE
It was fall when we met
This beautiful canine
His crystal blue eyes
Instantly inviting us
Into his wild world of living
Amongst the broad-leafed trees
That would later define home
It’s been a few years
But I still choke up when I remember him
Running through the forest
His four feet crunching leaves
So feral and free
He had the confidence and playfulness
Of ancient things
He taught me so much about peace
About the hidden things that stirred my heart
He showed us the hills and its waters
Through his eyes
He stole our hearts
And held them close
Before he said goodbye
–Frances Denise
⚘
October 1
Baby steps into my favorite month,
I am hesitant.
I know which day looms.
The day I let you go,
Held your little body
As you took your last breath.
Refused to keep you in the offered towel.
I needed to feel you,
Limp and lifeless.
Only then would my flesh
Have any way to remember
You had gone.
An imprint
Tangible
Terrible.
Most days I tuck the memory away,
Just behind my conscious.
Today
It pushed its way in.
Rested in my mind’s eye.
I touch the wound
Dance on it.
In a house full of people I barely know
Confident they can hold my grief.
I let the mountain comfort me.
Guitar strains travel on the wind,
Whispers of melody
Minor
Full of my mourning
Carried with the clouds
That hold my tears.
–Paula Dixon
⚘
SHAWNA
A poem for a dog I loved.
When we met, she had already lived a life
unknown to me, apart…
but I asked, now do you want to be mine?
In those first moments she pressed herself against me
and she already belonged in my heart.
She possessed all of the magic dogs have
And vices, just a few….
a muffin stolen from the counter.
Even the best dog cannot control the appetite
to devour all the pleasures she knew.
She laughed as only dogs can do, and running
her circles came back to me….
then mid-air spins for joy.
Her small body and big spirit filled
with a light you could see.
Her only fear, unsure if I would come back
whenever I went away…
And then, it was she who left.
In those final moments she pressed herself against me
as if she wished she could stay.
–Paula Leftwich
⚘
My baby girl – who loved without measure, without exception
She waited each day – with complete dedication –
For ever so long – with wanting eyes –
Deep – committed – raw – no lies –
No motives – no motives –
Just total kisses and loves –
Oh how I miss her –
Twelve years were not enough – a blur –
I’ll greet her again soon –
Against the blue moon, we will find embrace again.
–Cyn
⚘
Do not grieve for me when I die,
I have my pack waiting on the other side.
Their love has never left my heart.
I see each one of them in all the other’s eyes.
–JRay
A few of our muses–
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
Publication Notes
Poem ‘animal’ by Cheyanne Leonardo originally published in her collection, sun songs, 8/8/2023.
October Announcements from the Scribes
October 8 – Deadline to submit your Spooky Season “Poems about Monsters.” How do you interpret the image of ‘monster’? What makes a monster to you?
October 11 – Join the Dandelion Scribes for Author & Artisan Night at McCreary County Public Library. Editors Cheyanne Leonardo, Cari King, and Amber Sparks will be set up from 5-7:30pm selling & signing books and answering questions about the Scribes! Come see us at our beloved local library!
October 15 – Cheyanne Leonardo is set to release her fifth collection of poetry, The Book of Abstractions. Stay tuned for more information about the book & where to purchase!
October 22 – Deadline to submit your Spooky Season “Poems about Ghosts.” How do you interpret the image of ‘ghost’? What kind of ghost haunts you?
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @dandelionscribes to stay up-to-date with all upcoming activities and announcements. To submit your work for the prompts listed above, head on over to our submissions page & type in “Monster Poems” or “Ghost Poems” for “Title of Submission.” You may send in up to 5 pieces of writing per category!
With endless love & gratitude,
