ever so watchful
eyeing the scene silently
proud in a big world
Tag: animals
Dog Thoughts
Inspired by What do you see #213
the water, so cool
sank trying to catch the waves
i was running and chasing the wind
until i was exhausted
so soft here, warm too
the sun is setting now
the seagulls are loud
how does my master rest with this racket
there was a picnic, had so much food
glad the hoomans shared
i’ll close my eyes now
it was a good day at the beach
All Is Right
companions for life
on adventurous journeys
find much solitude
***Thanks so much for providing this beautiful image, D.J.! ❤
Furry Mates
Inspired by Sadje’s What do you see #176
a human’s side-kicks
adorable companions
have dogs, will travel
This prompt was perfect timing! I had the pleasure of spending last weekend with these two little cuties and their human. It made our business trip much more delightful! Not only were they affectionate and fun to be with, they provided us some free advertising for the business we attended. Many people stopped at our table just to be able to say hi to these adorable creatures! Of course, the people were rewarded with kisses for the attention given.
Rolo and Sadie go wherever my friend Stephanie goes, whether in the office, at home, out on the road traveling across state lines or a short jaunt down the street. They are her constant companions, and seldom are they separated. Both Stephanie and the dogs sense a void when they are apart from each other. I got to witness that first hand. Smiles, coos, baby talk and engagement are what the dogs crave and their companionship is what gets Stephanie through her day. They are like a symbiotic unit, neither doing well without the other. It’s wonderful to see that kind of love and adoration. I’m also glad that they seem to have accepted me into the family.
Mistress Of The Plains
Inspired by Sadje’s What do you see #173
The sliver moon and fairycore landscape preview the magic unfolding at sunset. The other arriving animals eagerly await the beginning of the ritual, their excitement visible. With the light almost gone, the mistress begins, and slowly the tall giraffe leans down, beckoned by her whispers. None who witnessed this scene could hear her words, but the animal was captivated by every word. At times, he would close his large, long, eye-lashed lids very slowly and dramatically; it was almost as if to capture her words better.
Having received protection from her, the giraffe turned around and headed toward his pack.
10. Elephant (Earth.org)
Last on the list of the world’s most endangered animals in 2022 are elephants. While some populations of African elephants are increasing, primarily in southern Africa, numbers are continuing to fall in other areas, particularly in central Africa and parts of East Africa. With an estimated 415,000 elephants left on the continent, the species is regarded as vulnerable, although certain populations are being poached towards extinction. Asian elephant numbers have dropped by at least 50% over the last three generations, and they’re still in decline today. With only 40,000-50,000 left in the wild, the species is classified as endangered. However, the species most at risk is the Sumatran elephant, with a population of about 2,400-2,800 individuals.
Aishwarya Saby
Delicate leaf
delicate last leaf,
succumbs to strong gust of wind,
as a new leaf springs.
Spring Beauties
bees dance eagerly,
around vibrance of roses,
stashing up nectar,
cuckoo’s joyous song,
calls to open summer blooms,
melody’s rhythm.
Summer Relief
crows pause awhile to,
seek elixir of life, those,
endless summer days,
colours splash across,
as rainbow draws curtain to,
a much awaited spell,
orange flowers,
brighten up dull city roads,
long past summer days.
Winter’s round the corner
as lakes fill up, seek,
refuge from winter at home,
migratory birds,
brightest star takes break,
and darkness hurries to dawn,
know winter’s around,
remnants of fire,
warming up memories from,
a cold winter night.
An Emperor’s Penance
journeys into middle of an ice-filled
landscape, guards an egg, his very own,
freezing, battling unearthly climes,
in company of his men,
journey to fatherhood,
after lady lays,
she walks away,
he stays strong,
until,
she,
comes,
and takes,
chick back to,
sea, together,
without a morsel,
until then; he braves cold,
Antarctic climes for his young,
an emperor penguin’s penance,
like no other here – year after year,
cold environs cradle warmth of father.
~~~
Aishwarya a.k.a kittysverses loves writing poetry. Her poems have been published in Spillwords, Visual Verse, and Word Weaving Journal. She blogs at kittysverses@wordpress.com. This is Aishwarya’s first feature on The Short of It.
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Scott Richmond
trees
branches reaching up
wanting to touch the bright sun
roots keep them grounded
beaches
turquoise blue waters
soft white sandy shoreline
paradise surrounds
seasons
rebirth, then living
gracefully ending, then death
cyclical weather
snakes
slithery rubber
some safe, some totally not
coiled up beautiful
flowers
colors of rainbow
multiple shapes, mostly round
such joy for noses
pets
human companion
best friends until very end
part of family
~~~
Scott Richmond worked in IT for many years, then discovered haikus, and has since become addicted. He lives in Southern California. This is Scott’s first feature on The Short of It.
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Chanah Wizenberg
The Demise of Mr. Smith
He was an evil man, bullying, belligerent.
Then, he hit her.
On his phone coming down the stairs,
I screamed,
he startled and tumbled down,
landing in a grotesque arabesque.
I sniffed his nose, satisfied,
returned to my place in the sun,
purring, with my tail neatly tucked in.
Wake Up!
There is nothing like
loving pets
a dog and cat
both rescues
both quirky sweet
and comical
They are my alarm clock
punctual proud and prompt
they wake me each morning
Marmalade first
head butts and purring songs
pouncing on my back and
springing off again
Asha’s turn
her specialty
a wet willy
with that
cold nose
If that doesn’t work
nibbles to my neck
The Call and Response of Spring
The trees stand tall and proud
their branches dip and bend
with the wind’s gentle push
the Kelly-green leaves
sway and dance their
call and response
The squirrels chase each other
spiraling up and down the great oaks
and slim pines across the ground
and back up again chattering their
call and response
The birds glide and soar
and sweep around and past
each other until they take a
timeout on a branch high
or low to the ground singing their
call and response
Birthday Discovery
For twelve years
my birthday
was celebrated
on April 7th
And then
Searching for a vet record
I came upon my birth record
A truth was revealed
my birthday is
April 9th
Birthday, Oy
61 Oy, I don’t relate.
Feel like thirty-eight.
Looking in the mirror
I hear my father say,
“Who the hell is that?”
I contemplate,
who is that?
Salt and pepper hair,
double chin,
turkey neck,
Oy.
Don’t look!
Go for a swim instead.
Revel in the compliments.
Ambiguous Sunrise
Exhaustion permeates our beings
autopilot kicked in last Tuesday
or was it this Tuesday?
None of us know
it’s the holiday season
you know
the time of year chefs
bakers and candy makers
are in full steam production mode
the time when sunrise can be
sunset and sunset can be sunrise
the lights the same
the fatigues the same
Whether it’s sunrise or sunset
we’re on automatic
cranking out the croissant
Rolling out the pie dough
knotting up the bread dough
and shaping the marzipan
Circumference
Expanding circumferences abound
pandemic bellies world around
Baking bread loaves perfectly round
with mounds of butter
to wash it down
Circle back around
bound for seconds
even thirds
No wonder rounder bodies abound
Martini Heaven
Chilled glass
four parts gin
one part vermouth
extra olives
Ice cold and breezy
smooth and piney
notes of evergreen
And the olives
salty effervescence
It’s heaven
~~~
Chanah Wizenberg received her BA from Hunter College in English and Creative Writing. Her poetry has appeared in several magazines and anthologies. Chanah has been a professional ballerina, a pastry chef, and an English teacher. She resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with her dog, Asha, and her cat, Marmalade. This is Chanah’s first feature on The Short of It.
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Tremaine L. Loadholt
Pressure
she sits on the sea’s floor
shaped by the world
above it–changed forever.
the workers of ancient
tongues sift through
her words, chanting
their dismissals.
the pressure from centuries
ago labels her again
and again.
is this the chosen path
home or not?
The Brave Girl Knoweth Not
enchanting winds sway
over the clandestine clouds
she speaks of hard times
the chosen few laugh
behind her back, valleys shift
to the hills of life
brave girl knoweth not
of love or impending storms
she prepares for pain
Good Dog
good dog sleeps alone
savors the sunlight of morn
drifting into dreams
human loves her more each day
Mother Nature gifts them peace
Winter Knocks But Isn’t Allowed Entry
Temperatures tank throughout
the day, mimicking winter blues.
We shuffle along in life, wrapping
our bodies in extra clothing.
We are layered for bitter chill,
the calm of every storm spits
in our direction–we war
our way through the hell of it.
A long walk lends frostbite to
the limbs–we shake ourselves
into warmth–turn the thermostat
up, shoot fire into the bones.
Winter knocks. It is premature.
We howl at its presence–fangs
sharp enough to slice through
hardened flesh.
We are not ready. We are not ready.
Forgotten Words
We aren’t the warriors
of the past. We have
different methods–different ways,
but we still work words
the way the ancestors intended.
What we say can
be misconstrued, but what we
mean, never is.
~~~
A North Carolina writer, Tremaine L. Loadholt has been published in literary journals, anthologies, and magazines, and published three poetry books: Pinwheels and Hula Hoops, Dusting for Fingerprints, and A New Kind of Down. Her artistic expressions are at A Cornered Gurl and Medium. This is Tremaine’s first feature on The Short of It.
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Charles Randolph
In the Old Days
When the sun begins to go down
And the smell of dusk appears
Along with the crickets and mosquitos
And the loudness of summer
The warmth of yesteryears come alive
And past scenes spring out into the forefront of my mind
Remembering cool, tall glasses of Momma’s lavender lemonade
And feeling giddy as my mouth is awash with flavor
I reminisce on the ache of youth awaiting a transition to adulthood
And my soul is back home
I find myself wishing for those playful, uninhibited days
And then I hear Dad yell
“I need help with your mother, Son!”
A Walk in the Park
Rosie, my cheerful companion, tethered to me willingly
She barks with joy at leaves flutter up into the wind
Rustled alive with each step taken
We’re alone in the park today, odd but welcome
No other yapping to be heard or big dogs’ trajectory to avoid
I release her and watch her run free with abandon
I wonder if Rosie is sad to have missed her friends
Is she happy it’s just us or does she even care at all
Who knows what goes through a dog’s head
Her business done, chased balls caught and returned
She pants hard, taking more and more breaks
It’s time to return home
Please Don’t Forget
The mail is on the table
Take it with you, eh
Give Robert my regards
Pick up my prescription, would you
And while you’re out, go to the Metro, please
Would you get me some strawberries
And grab today’s newspaper
And maybe something for tomorrow’s dinner
Please, don’t look at me like that
I’m sorry I’m in a wheelchair too
~~~
Charles Randolph, retired and a sometime poet, lives in Canada. He has a parrot and a cockatiel for companionship. This is Charles’ first feature on The Short of It.
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I Write Her 