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Goodbye, Wanderer

First time we met, you left your litter, my wanderer. Choosing a fitting name, I thought I'd try 'Wanderer'! So playful, your favorite game always Hide-and-Seek. I'd search the backyard: "Where's my little guy, Wanderer?" Sunday threatens rain; I find a hole under our fence! "Are you playing a game? Where is my shy Wanderer?" The rain rolls down, drenching my clothes and my spirits, masking the terrified tears in my eye, Wanderer. Knocking on doors, fighting back tears, hoping against hope. Where is my pup? Why do you make me cry, Wanderer? I put up signs, I call the local pound, I pray hard. Three quiet, lonely weeks drag by. Goodbye, Wanderer. written 14 Sep 2020

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/3/2020 6:36:00 AM

Love, fear, sadness, depression, acceptance - I'm sorry for your grieving John. Let's hope Wanderer is doing what he loves best. Congratulations on the win! Linda

Silent One

Date: 10/3/2020 5:10:00 AM

Interesting take, with a sad ending.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Paghunda Zahid

Date: 9/21/2020 8:16:00 AM

Ah melancholic one! Well penned... Good luck for the contest

John Watt
Date: 9/21/2020 10:24:00 AM

Thank you for the encouraging note Paghunda!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/15/2020 1:30:00 PM

oh my, such a sad one. But you did this impeccably, John. Excellent use of this form!! FAVE

John Watt
Date: 9/15/2020 3:32:00 PM

Yes, it was time for my twice a year sad write. Glad you liked it enough to fave. You are a great poetry friend.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/15/2020 1:35:00 AM

That should close this contest and I wish you luck. Pity the dog got lost ~~

John Watt
Date: 9/15/2020 3:33:00 PM

Thank you for your encouraging words, Victor. Enjoy your day ~ John

Gershon Wolf

Date: 9/14/2020 7:39:00 PM

I wander where your pup went! Puppies are really going to the dogs these days. Heh, heh! I'm not often enamored of ghazals, but this is a great one. Here's to a winner for you, John! Seek and ye shall find!! : gw

John Watt
Date: 9/14/2020 9:17:00 PM

So, ghazals are your 'pet' peeve, eh? Thanks for lightening the mood, GW. I think this poem needed it badly. Blessings, JW

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/14/2020 4:35:00 PM

Such a sad one! We had an old dog wander off, called the pound and all. As silly as it sounds, for a year I’d hold out expectation of his return.

John Watt
Date: 9/14/2020 5:40:00 PM

Not silly at all, my friend. It lies deep within the human breast to be reunited with our loved ones. Hope springs eternal, as they say. Thanks for the touching visit.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 9/14/2020 3:52:00 PM

Both Paddy and Ted "wandered away" at one time or another! It was devastating! You have truly captured that feeling of loss. Best of wishes for the contest through tears! Going to hug Paddy!

John Watt
Date: 9/14/2020 4:03:00 PM

Yes, give them a big 'ol hug and check for holes under the fence. I suppose if I were a dog, I'd want to know what's out there in the great big world, even though it's cats who are famous for their curiosity! Thank you for the visit.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 9/14/2020 3:18:00 PM

Your tale of your lost Wanderer brought a tear to my eye, very effective metaphor of rain drenching your spirits, hope this does well in the contest!

John Watt
Date: 9/14/2020 4:00:00 PM

Thank you, Michelle. Though I wrote this for a dog, it was my first cat that broke my heart by wandering away. That pain was triggered 30 years later when I heard a little boy on our street calling out for his lost pet on a rainy Sunday morning, so the two incidents melded into this poem.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 9/14/2020 3:09:00 PM

Nicely penned John quite amusing tale. Hope all well, Blessings always,Gordon

John Watt
Date: 9/14/2020 3:55:00 PM

Thank you Gordon, always nice to hear from you my friend. All is well, hope the same for you.