Home » Poems » Zoe Orrell » That Old Dog

That Old Dog

That big black dog s behind me
He's breathing down my neck
Hes got me staring through the cracks
I know he's got me tracked
He knows my little weaknesses
And all my aching flaws
He stops the sun from shining
and trips me up at doors
He makes me feel I'm small and lost
Yet won't leave me alone
And though he leaves me starving
For him I have a bone
That old black dog he's restless
He's biting at my heels
He wants to make a meal of me
He's got me on my knees
That black dog he has me beat
He has my head in tatters
He rags me in his drooling jaws
and spits me on the street
But my old dog he's faithful
and I keep him by my side
For though I know he holds me back
I match him stride for stride
For without him I would not be whole
I wouldn't be complete
My fears and flaws are part of me
make up the being of my soul
I must learn to live with me
and with my black dog
To live for just this moment
See the sunshine through the smog
But I must remember who is master
Is it me or is it dog?

depressionselffree verse

♡Like0

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Laura Breidenthal

March 17, 2016 at 2:46 AM

One thing that strikes me about this poem is that this dog could represent a number of things. At first I thought of the devil, then depression, then anxiety, and then flaws. Another thing I likedwas that the narrator is not bitter of its presence and instead aknowledges the fact that this dog is part of him or her. Im adding this to my favorites! Always, Laura

Zoe Orrell

March 18, 2016 at 11:11 AM

That's something about depression I've come to realise as i get older,I can't change whats happened to me ,or the state of the world ,but I can change how I deal with it.Thanks so much guys for your warm welcomes x

Laura Breidenthal

March 17, 2016 at 2:45 AM

This definitely caught my attention... it's thought-provoking and unique Zoe. There are many memorable lines here...I like, "And though he leaves me starving, For him I have a bone" and those last few lines are powerful as well. You are brilliant! I think one step in mastering the dog is aknowledging it is there, which was executed well in this deeply spiritual verse.

Anne-Lise Andresen

March 14, 2016 at 1:36 PM

- Thank you for your first poem, Zoe :) - I welcome you to Poetry Soup :) - Hope you will find our "soup" friendly and fun - Good luck :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Skat A

March 12, 2016 at 10:16 PM

Zoe, Welcome to Poetry Soup. It will be a delight to read and become familiar with your poems in the future. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT