Flo The Greyhound

She passes the place
where I sit some mornings,
her slow, sure gait pads
a gentle elegance across
the grass carrying
just a hint of indifference.
Retired from racing, 
she has been adopted out.

She seems contained within
herself, ignoring the yappy terrier 
and the playful retriever 
that bounds towards her 
on her right, not shifting 
her gaze as if transfixed
on some vision 
she holds in her head. 
Nothing of the morning
disturbs her meditations.

I often wonder whether
she is playing out a trauma
that has lodged in her memory
or can't fit the past and present 
together into some reconcilable 
whole or her aloofness 
is just the nature of the breed 
and the interpretation 
of her manner
has more to do with me.

There is a solitude in her
that I cannot fathom and troubles
me. Sometimes I feel 
like bending down
and putting my arms around
her lovely neck but a reticence 
holds me back as we both
go our separate ways,
each with our own solitude 
held locked within.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Summers Avatar
July 24, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Was so glad Flo was adopted out, most aren’t so fortunate. Those I’ve been around had issues much like her. So sad because they are social and racing gives them an isolated life. The poem does much to show the downside of racing. John
Willason Avatar
July 25, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Thoughtful comments John...the industry like most has a few that exhibit reprehensible behaviour and give it a bad reputation. I would favor the no racing case and would prefer to see greyhounds bred for their lovely nature and companionship. Take care my friend, Paul .
Kitchin Avatar
July 22, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Paul, I love your poem. I have a greyhound too named Ziggy. He is also a retired racer. I sometimes wonder if he has lived through some trauma as well from that time of this life. Give Flo a hug from me. A fav!
Willason Avatar
July 25, 2024 at 11:44 PM
Give Ziggy a big hug dear Tania. Greyhounds have such a lovely nature and a gentleness that seems in contrast to their size. Thankyou for reading the poem Tania and glad that it resonated. Cheers my friend.
Lane Avatar
July 22, 2024 at 2:05 AM
I couldn't stop myself from wanting to say to you, "Hug her neck and see how she responds." As a racing dog, I doubt she ever had enough affection. Cats are aloof, not dogs. If you try it, I'd love to know what she does.
Willason Avatar
July 25, 2024 at 11:40 PM
I will follow the suggestions of your kind heart dear Lin and reach out. Take care ...will update .Paul
Wolf Avatar
July 21, 2024 at 6:44 PM
True drama plays out here, Paul... I myself admit that I lean toward the view that we attribute our emotions to animals who may not be experiencing them at all. Who knows, really?! ~ Gershon
Willason Avatar
July 25, 2024 at 11:37 PM
Thoughtful comments Gershon...unfathomable mystery perhaps as there is no way to verify. Good to hear from you my friend....
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