Ain't got no family trust,
Lyin' around this ol' bunk shed
With nothin left but to be led.
They's saying that I stink and smell
But I don't give a hoot'n' hell...
Maybe so I can't hardly stand
But I sure been the swamper's right hand.
Don't do nothin' now but suck on meat
Can't stand upon my own four feet
Still, I got him and he's got me
The closest we got to family...
Who's this takin' me out for air?
They's talkin' about me, but I can't hear,
Why's Candy sittin' so still over there?
Hey, what's that gun doin' at my ear...
At poetry jam we were invited to write from the point of view of an animal. As I've been teaching "Of Mice and Men" again recently to my S4 class, this point of view came to mind. If you can bear to watch, there's a movie clip below :(
oh dang...your closure on this got my heart thumping...sad...when it is time to put them down...
ReplyDeleteSo true Brian :(
DeleteThis is so sad, sad, sad. What a tragic fate for such a loyal companion. It breaks my heart really, but it is SO well written. (And, no, having three dogs of my own, I couldn't bring myself to watch the video!)
ReplyDeleteDon't blame you for not watching Mary, having those three dogs...
DeleteP.S. Am now following your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks-that's kind of you :)
DeleteHi ND! I can't watch that either, I read the book, Steinbeck is one of my favorites :-) Excellent poem! PS left you a birding link on my blog:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that :)
DeleteGreat voice, I can imagine you reading this out loud ~
ReplyDeleteI find the ending sad though ~
Thanks Grace :)
DeleteStellar writing ... you brought the scene to life (vividly.) Reminding me of a time my grandfather had to let go of his old beagle Butchie... that was so sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen-those are indeed sad times.
DeleteOh ... the last line felt so cold ... superbly narrated ... brought a chill on my spine !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks GS :)
DeletePowerful poem ... and I have never seen this version of M&M... riveting (thank GOD I didn't hear the gun go off!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret-the whole film is a good one.
DeleteLove your voice here ND. I've read the book and watched that version several times...and that scene gets me every time. Positively smashing write.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. True that this scene is hard to take.
DeleteThis is so very hard to read. Wonderful dog voice. Of Mice and Men is one of those hard stories I think--sad, sad, sad.
ReplyDeleteI agree Peggy :(
DeleteKind of you to say so :)
ReplyDeleteVery well done - quite unique. I have always loved the story of Mice and Men. I loved the John Malcovich version.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love that version too :-)
DeleteOh yikes, I so adore dogs, especially old dogs that are tired from loving their humans so well. The ending was hard to read and there is no way I could watch the clip. You wrote this so well, it felt like the poor old fella speaking.
ReplyDeletep.s. Would you please email me at wildwoman2@shaw.ca ? Have a question for you, kiddo!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry. Tried to earlier but didnt work. Will try again later from my computet :-)
DeleteOh, my gosh. This one blows me away. I can see this scene so clearly. Great poem, well crafted to the powerful, surprise ending.
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy:-)
DeleteLord above. Count me among those who can't handle this.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteTwo dogs here, can't watch the video, but your poem is so well written from the dog's perspective.
ReplyDelete