Additionally, on Wednesday the new Poetry Jam prompt was issued... "Write about loneliness or solitude." I have written a poem to address the issue.
Solitude or Loneliness, Who Cares Which?
I’m all alone at home again
I’m writing, and I’ve
tried
to ignore the constant scuffling
of two dogs by my
side,
and then there is the white cat
being obviously
denied
access to his sleeping place
and where he likes to
hide.
Oh, I talk to them - they listen with
their heads cocked to one
side.
So if I say I’m lonesome
I'd have have to say I’ve
lied.
My days are not my own,
I could use some
solitude.
Can't say that I don't like my pets;
I'd never be that
rude,
But when I try to gather thoughts
they carelessly
intrude,
And all my writings and my dreams
seem to be pet
imbued.
Solitude or loneliness -
oh, does it matter
which?
I think that either one might
surely cure me of this
twitch.
But then of course I’d lack excuse
for a poetic
glitch.
©Donna JT Smith, 2015
Gotta love those pets!
ReplyDeleteYes! They demand it, and rightly so!
DeleteDonna, I had the occasion to look at my early posts, and you are there in the comments! It's been a long time, perhaps someday we'll meet in the middle? Love this, the distraction of pets, wanting only to be assured of your love. And my favorite: "pet/imbued"!
ReplyDeleteI just looked back and saw that we both started blogging in March of 2011 and we both commented on each other's blog on March 3...so in a few days that will be 4 years that we have blogged. (I had a post earlier, but hadn't started seriously until March.) Pretty amazing! Someday we'll have to have coffee in where? Nashville?
DeleteI liked tracing the tension in your poem -- pets as intruders upon solitude, yes, but an undercurrent of love for them nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is how it is - tense for a bit and then laughter. Kind of like raising kids again...without the benefit of diapers and a school bus to catch.
DeleteSolitude or loneliness? Obviously, you are not lonely Donna. Do you relish solitude when your pets carelessly intrude? Great perspective with a toss up on which mode fits you.
ReplyDeleteI love my pets around, but I also like when they all decide to nap at the same time and I am free to walk around and write without their assistance!
DeleteThis made me laugh aloud. I love what you did with the rhymes on their own lines--made it all the more fun and comic. Great title, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it! It was fun to write, too.
DeleteHa, my days are not my own either, if I think about my dogs. I would never consider myself 'lonesome' if I were only in their presence. They are such good company...I like it that you find your writings 'pet imbued.' Easy to do, I think. And quite endearing!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I never have to come home to an empty house!
DeleteI enjoyed skipping along in the song with you. I love my pets. I am never actually alone, am I?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you could skip along!
DeleteAnd not never alone! It really is great...mostly!
I totally agree with you, Donna. Alone with a pet is not being alone at all. In fact when you are alone, they seem to notice it and be very very present.
ReplyDeleteEven in the middle of the night...the cat loves to come and perch on me and talk for a bit. Maybe he gets lonely?
DeleteLove those pets! Who could ever be alone with a furry pal around?! Great poem, Donna.
ReplyDeleteThe new puppy is upsetting the routine of lazing around for my cat and old dog...and maybe me a little, too! But it is getting better!
DeleteI can totally relate to your poem, my cat is ALWAYS right by my side no matter what I'm doing! Love the rhythm of your poem!
ReplyDeleteCats can be aloof, but they can also be pretty loving!
Deletesmiles....the last several days our cat has gone crazy with the snow...he does not like it at all...
ReplyDeleteso while i have had solitude...i have not been alone...lol...so i agree with you, for sure...
Ours is an indoor cat and was a rescue that we got last year. He had been an outdoor cat, but out here in the woods on the coast, we have owls, fox, coyote, hawks, etc. that would put a pretty quick end to him. So indoors it is, and THAT drives him crazy in nice weather. Seems pretty content in the winter to just "chill" so to speak!
DeleteAnother wonderful, rollicking, wordsmithing write, Donna. "pet imbued" summoned a lol chuckle.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun! "Pet imbued" was a kind of tickle when it came to me even!
DeleteI love the feel good atmosphere in your poem....so much enjoyable...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sumana! Happy that you enjoyed it.
Deletei like the feel of this poem
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suyash.
Deleteloved it, well written
ReplyDeleteLoneliness
Love the way this flowed and the great feeling with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan.
DeleteI was just scratching our cat under the chin while I was reading your poem... They do "carelessly intrude," don't they? They aren't being mean, but man, they are needy :-) Nice mood, rhyme scheme, and ending!
ReplyDeleteI actually have two kitchen tables...one for eating at, and one for my computer and the cat! It's a strange set up, but it works for giving attention to the cat when I'm writing without allowing him on the table at which we eat! Oddly, he knows the difference and never gets on the wrong table.
DeleteI smiled all the way through! Critter owners know these things well! We have three big donkeys, a flock of chickens complete with Ernest T. Bass the rooster, and a dog here on the farm. There are times when I'd rather be indoors gathering my thoughts, reading, creating. But their interruptions are worth so much. We live our dream here. It all works together beautifully. Just like the elements of your poem. I enjoyed my visit here!
ReplyDeleteWe had horses, dogs and cats for a number of years...(chickens when I was a kid)
Deleteand I must say, there is nothing like having a horse give you a warm nuzzle on a cold winter day!
Yep, it was cold getting up at the crack of dawn and trudging through snow to throw a bale of hay...but totally worth it.
^ I have a horse and yes, lots of work but worth it. Dogs and cats too, so I understand they are an obligation - and can be quite demanding. But then, they do give us inspiration at times, so it is a fair trade off.
ReplyDeleteYes, they add so much!
DeleteI can imagine how two dogs and a cat might want to introduce their pawprints into a poem .. (and look that's exactly what they did)
ReplyDeleteoooh...they are so, so sneakily clever!
DeleteSuch fun, and such a smooth read !!
ReplyDeleteOh, you've brought back many happy memories of my dog, Donna. He had a way of intruding into my solitude/loneliness, but it was always such a positive intrusion! Lovely write!
ReplyDelete