The dogs were here first.
You think you own them, but no–
they lead, you follow.
Other dogs, other
people, entangled within
a rocky landscape.
It’s always winter.
You must work hard, struggle
to get anywhere.
Where is it? You no
longer even think you know–
the pull of the leash.
You’re cold and you need to feel–
breath shortens—leaves misty trail.
Ingrid at dVerse asked us to write a poem inspired by a dream, and Sarah’s W3 prompt asked for a poem of 14 lines or less about dreams.
I remembered these sketches I did of a dog–I think it was from a photo Nina sent me of one of her dogs, but I’m not totally certain–and found them in an old sketchbook from the early 1980s. The collage is from one of Jane’s prompts I did in 2016.
I often dream of dogs–I’ve lived with them, but never owned one. Clearly they have a secure place in my mind.
K. 
Like the essence of this piece Kerfe — and the dog sketches are cool! 🙂✌🏼
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Thanks Rob. Dogs (all animals actually) are fun to draw.
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I wonder too… I think we are all living on leashes that we cannot really leave.
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That may be true Bjorn. We are certainly not as free as we pretend to be.
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People and dogs are entwined, leashed to one another. I’ve dreamt of dogs we had in the past.
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They are. My dream voice was definite that dogs were first though…
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😊
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We both dreamed of dogs. Ambiguous, is it the dog or the human who no longer feels the pull of the leash?
Love the sketches too.
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Thanks Jane. Definitely an ambiguous dream, Everything kept transforming.
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It’s strange how that often happens in dreams, things morphing into something/one else. And how we ‘know’ in the dream that what looks like a pig/Aunty Madge/a giant tabby cat is really your sister or the butcher etc etc.
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Dogs are definitely tuned to the environment. So many dreams are about finding someone to provide an answer.
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I think that’s true Ken. We are always searching.
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“Other dogs, other people, entangled within a rocky landscape.” Oh yes, how I resonate! Powerful writing here ❤️❤️
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Thanks Sanaa.
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This is fascinating, I rarely dream of dogs if I do it’s my old sheepdog Joss who died ten years ago, I still miss him, love the sketches too ❤
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Thanks. Dreams take us many places we would not go on our own…at least mine do.
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What a vivid dream, and so full of apprehension and yet, the pull to follow where one is led, benevolently! A comforting resonance in a bleak landscape.
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Thanks Dora. As Ken pointed out, dogs are definitely attuned to the landscape. We need all the guidance we can get sometimes.
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This dog dream has many truths but love the line “they lead, you follow”. That just about sums up the human-dog relationship!
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In my experience that’s true! Thanks Muri.
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Wonderful poem. It’s nice that you dreamt about dogs, then followed the dream prompt to create a poem about dogs. A humble subject that leads into richer thought than one would suppose.
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Any subject is fodder for both rich thought and rich images (as you know). The artist or writer is just the conduit.
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such a delightful connection to our canine friends, often fur family! Great sketches Kerfe 🙂
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Thanks Kate.
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I love the way your dream vision offers a new perspective on dog ‘ownership.’ And I love your drawings and collage!
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Thanks Ingrid.
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I love dogs they are so much more trustworthy than people…. Our dog is old and feeling it but she still gives us her all as we do for her .
Your poem is beautiful.
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Thank you Willow. They are much more trustworthy than people. Which is why we do well to follow them.
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Yes indeed they are bless them 💜💜
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I still dream about my dogs and cats. They all were dear to me. Your poem reminds me of my two Pomeranians, Sugar and Spice. I still miss them. 💛
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Great names! Our pets are so intertwined with our lives, it’s natural they would enter our dreams.
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I agree… they were parts of our family.
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Beautiful poem! As someone who spent a good portion of the afternoon frolicking in the snow with a dog and three little kids, I can say that we learn a lot from them about life and dreams 🙂
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That sounds like a good day! Thanks.
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Good one
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Thanks!
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This is an intriguing poem, Kerfe. I too have never owned a dog, but we did have a few in our home when I was growing up. I’ve always preferred cats.
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I do too–I’m allergic or I would have at least one cat in my apartment. But in the past I’ve lived with a few dogs I became attached to. Which may be why they are often present in my dreams.
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Beautiful. Off to dream about the one who dreams along.
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The perfect companion!
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YES!
So well put and clever, Kerfe – I love this piece!
❤
David
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Thanks David. I have to blame it on my dream-mind. (K)
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😏
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hi, Kerfe ❤
The lovely Denise is hosting W3 this week ~ and she's come up with a unique prompt!
Enjoy 🙂
David
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Well that’s easy–Jane has already generated this weeks words to use.
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💘 Kerfe 💘 ~ that is right! I’d forgotten!
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Okay… so arriving here very late indeed… but LOVE the dog drawings!
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Thanks Phil. I should do more drawing, but I know it would never look like that. I can never repeat my past…
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The poem, and drawings, are beautiful!
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Thank you!
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