Silent One Poet Free verse

Black Dog

Its raven skin follows without a 'woof,'
no bark no bite,
darker than a shadow in sunlight.
It reflects in the mirror,
staring with 'Edgar Allan Poe,' ebony eyes.

At dawn it's at the bedside,
wanting to wander into the morning mist.
At twilight it rests its head on my pillow,
stalking, into my sleep.

It sits on the passenger seat,
without a seatbelt, unfocused,
unconcerned, like it has no need to exist.
It plods slowly around the office,
slumping forward, back curved like a 'jack knife.'
Colleagues ignore its obsidian paws, 
sore from scabs, resting on the desk.

Its head droops with my sullen, dull ache.
Its tongue looks rough, no saliva drips -
a bit like my cracked lips.
We both seem to breathe in dry air,
as it feeds on my molasses mind.

It has no interest in sticks nor treats,
nor cares to leave my side.
A sinister magnetic faithfulness.
Unmoved, as I vomit black bile.
I wonder how is he a man's best friend?

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Tonye George February 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM "A sinister magnetic faithfulness. Unmoved, as I vomit black bile. I wonder how is he a man's best friend." Very metaphorical and symbolic. Great write Silent, congrats.

Alesia Leach September 7, 2024 at 3:10 PM A very apapt depiction of a dark emotion. Good write.

Paige Hind September 6, 2024 at 12:25 PM Interesting writing...will never look at a black dog the same again

Susan Ashley September 5, 2024 at 5:56 PM Dear Silent One, your creative expression is deep, dark, rich, real, intimate and intriguing. I adore how you have poetically portrayed the “black dog”, though my heart aches for those who suffer in its sinister grip. So many impactful verses, your golden pen shines like a beacon in the depths of despair, illuminating darkness with your light as we embrace those who suffer from depression with empathy. Congratulations for your success in Charlotte’s contest. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Crystol Woods September 5, 2024 at 8:03 AM The Grim. The black dog omen? Turning man's best friend into this evil disease is heart breaking but accurate and insightful. Disturbing and amazing writing! Xo

Charlotte Puddifoot September 5, 2024 at 4:24 AM this is a very good personification of depression, the 'black dog' as churchill called it, and funnily enough i wrote one with the same title on this same subject, albeit a very short one..i like this kind of writing from you, pulling back on the alliteration, and i particularly like that second stanza..some effective lines, "...obsidian paws, sore from scabs, resting on the desk", "its head droops with my sullen, dull ache" - congrats on your placement in my contest!

Valsa George September 3, 2024 at 9:10 PM I assume that Black Dog is synonymous with depression. You have personified depression as a faithful mongrel that follows you everywhere you go, even to the office. "A sinister magnetic faithfulness. Unmoved, as I vomit black bile. I wonder how is he a man's best friend?" What a powerful allegory! I can read so much from these lines. "Colleagues ignore its obsidian paws, sore from scabs, resting on the desk." No body, even the colleagues fail to notice the depression that closely follows one of their associates. No one cares in a world where everyone is trying to make his position secure. What a powerful write, dear Silent One.

Maria Williams September 3, 2024 at 8:55 PM Thank you for enlightening me on the term 'black dog'. I learned 2 things today one that Winston Churchill often referred to his depression as his 'black dog'. Great job at spreading the word about mental health, and a wonderful write on the subject. More should be done for the young people today who face mental collapse and depression, homelessness follows, ...Hugs

Ink Empress September 3, 2024 at 2:42 PM Dear silent one, as i read this more than once i cant help but think of the song “the sound of silence “ and i love your use of dark colors to depict darkness and how it lingers in whatever time and whenever, the essence of mental health issues and how it impacts can be felt strongly through your well crafted poem! Especially black dog! Is an intriguing analogy one that youv come up with and delivered in such a poetic manner! I especially love the line “ Colleagues ignore its obsidian paws,” sad when one has to work with individuals that do not acknowledge the inner struggles of others! “ We both seem to breathe in dry air,” so deep! And powerful! Soul hitting writing! Best wishes always! Sending you light

Frederic Parker September 3, 2024 at 7:35 AM when negative emotion becomes a feral creature that's a lonely space to be...strong poem SO

Daniel Henry Rodgers September 3, 2024 at 5:38 AM Dear SO, what a great description of depression that many battle. You are so right that we need to find the resilience in that state that keeps us fighting through the drain and the pain. Wonderfully inked and filled with emotions. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel