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The Dog On the Beach

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Published: 31st August 2021

Image by Mohammed_hassan from Pixabay

Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (2nd September 2021)

The poem questions whether conforming to rules impedes our ability to achieve and alludes to the idea that those who do take chances, bend the rules and succeed can sometimes let that success go to their heads.

I watched a dog fight back the sea to chase a ball thrown on the surf it sensed no danger unlike me when I chased young dreams on this earth. at some point in reality against those waves I lost my nerve I blame my personality respecting nature's tides since birth. and now that dog's just running free - its ball retrieved with canine verve despite a law that it should be restrained by harness round its girth.

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Dan Prizner

Date: 6/27/2024 12:04:00 AM

Thanks Gary I only had few memories of my son's dog chasing the ball as recall I see your connection to life.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/27/2024 2:39:00 AM

Thanks Dan. This is one of those poems that I didn’t like at first and was about to pull it until I changed a line or two. It remains one of my most popular poems if the hits are anything to go by. I’ve certainly grown to like it more as time has moved on. I think the first two verses, in particular, are a true reflection of my personality during my school and early work years. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 3/20/2023 1:49:00 PM

I like this allegorical "tail" very much - like the tail wagging the dog! Sometimes I wonder if we are bending the rules or simply creating something new like Mozart then Beethoven then Wagner then Copeland. This poem is a great impetus for discussion - a sign of a great poem! Congratulations on your win Gary! Cheers! Also, I love watching dogs at the beach - running, splashing in the waves and chasing sticks! Thanks for the romp on the metaphorical, esoteric beach!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 3/20/2023 3:52:00 PM

Opps - the typo god strikes again. Yes, I did mean Aaron Copland! He was a close friend of my conducting professor! Congratulations on BNP! Wonderful achievement. I am so far behind in commenting I missed your wonderful honor. Well deserved. High fives! I do love your poems and always look forward to reading them. The have a special quality about them that is so engaging! So glad your delete button wasn't functional that day! Cheers!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2023 2:40:00 PM

Love your comments Sam. Thank you! :) At first I read your mention of (Aaron?) Copland as Copeland (as in Stuart of The Police) :) I must admit to being forever surprised at the amount of comments I've had for this poem. I was on the verge of deleting as I wasn't too happy with it when I first wrote it. To date it's my one poem that's made it to the top of the PS Best New Poems list - albeit for one day. Hey..what do I know? :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 3/18/2023 12:22:00 PM

Your poem succeeded very well in contrasting the two, Gary. As a matter of fact, I see the book burning occurring in U.S. as a leash!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/18/2023 1:40:00 PM

Hi Ann. Thank you, I appreciate your much valued comments. I can think of a certain ex- Prime Minister here in the UK who has been allowed off his lead and is still creating havoc :) Cheers - Gary

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/18/2023 3:22:00 AM

I like the last line, in a way the view you have of the line is something that I perceived as echoing the character or view towards the people who try and inhibit others. That's what makes it an extra layer for me - I see the tone change (that you mention) but it's palpable on a personal level, to do something about it and not let life grind you down. (Edit: just realised I never read the bit at the top explaining the poem, so perhaps that's why I've gone a different direction) Edit mark 2: I've re-read and I'm too committed to my interpretation of the last stanza to change my view to fit your intention :) lucky that's allowed in poetry :)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/18/2023 3:59:00 AM

People's interpretations are what make writing poetry all the more worthwhile. :) Cheers - Gary

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/18/2023 1:54:00 AM

A great poem that is incredibly relatable - the 'why can't you' question that people don't tend to ask themselves. I feel inspired to challenge myself a bit more from reading it! On another note, I'll stop crying into my porridge for only getting an honourable mention for my entry if this is the quality in that category. Really great poem that cuts through a difficult to articulate issue for so many.

Gary Radice
Date: 3/18/2023 3:16:00 AM

Thanks DD. It's good that it inspired you. I'm still not too happy with the last line though; it reads if I've shoehorned the words in to fit with the rhyme. EDIT: Last line amended late 2023. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 9/14/2022 12:50:00 PM

Gary I lost my nerve after reading this poem to read it back because it summed up my personality far better than even I could I wish oh how I wish I was that dog but sadly I am not I should be kept on a lead for all that's worth Not running free into the sea

Gary Radice
Date: 9/15/2022 3:01:00 AM

The popularity of this poem has, admittedly, surprised me to be honest. It must have struck a chord..or lead..with people. :) Thanks for the visit Christopher. Cheers - Gary

Deb M

Date: 1/19/2022 8:20:00 AM

Gary, a truly lovely relatable poem! We all interrupt poems differently so this poem for me is about how the dog having no fear or lack of confidence is free ….but you are held back by life’s rules and your own personal fear etc . Loved it Gary. Cheers Debx

Gary Radice
Date: 1/20/2022 1:56:00 AM

Hi Deb. Thanks so much for your visit. I love it when people have their own interpretations - that's what poetry is all about to me. Cheers - Gary

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 12/27/2021 3:01:00 PM

Brilliant poem, Gary. I chose to read this poem, because the title attracted me. I can see it's a very popular poem. I enjoyed it too - especially this line "when i chased young dreams on this earth". Your poem is truly deep and thought-provoking. BW ~ Mala

Gary Radice
Date: 12/28/2021 2:41:00 AM

Hi Mala! Thank you so much for your kind words. Cheers - Gary

Alexis Y.

Date: 12/9/2021 7:13:00 AM

Hi Gary, Good comparison of using a dog to express one chasing their dreams. I enjoyed this a lot. I'm glad you reposted it. Have a great day:-) Alexis

Gary Radice
Date: 12/9/2021 7:27:00 AM

Thank you Alex's for your lovely comments. I haven't reposted this poem though - its as it was. ..although I must add that at the time it went through a few changes before I was happy with it. Cheers - Gary

James Marshall Goff

Date: 12/5/2021 9:43:00 AM

I like the sense of air, allowed the reader... Gary...between stanza breaks ..to change focus from the dog and you, as observed "thousand mile/thousand thoughts" crows-nest view...nice!

Gary Radice
Date: 12/5/2021 10:25:00 AM

Thank you James. I was sitting on a sand dune watching a dog while composing ideas for this poem in my head. Cheers - Gary

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/27/2021 6:48:00 AM

Love how you use a dog retrieving a ball from the sea to your dream chase…where the dog has no fear, you weigh it out.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/27/2021 9:08:00 AM

Thank you Kim. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

Date: 10/26/2021 6:44:00 AM

One of your best writes, Gary. The image of the fearless canine + his relevance to your life is moving indeed. Congratulations on a superb submission. Cheers, Brian

Gary Radice
Date: 10/26/2021 9:21:00 AM

Thank you Brian. I appreciate your valued visit and comments. Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul

Date: 10/6/2021 10:54:00 AM

Gary, you've really captured something, you and this dog. Really liked the first stanza. Having read all the comments, I wonder if you think your own interpretation still stands? Or do you even care?

Gary Radice
Date: 10/6/2021 12:15:00 PM

Hi Greg! Thank you! If I'm totally honest the popularity of this poem has been a bit of a (nice) puzzle. I'm so grateful for the POTD status it garnered, the number of views and, of course, the wonderful comments from the wonderful Soup poets but -and here's the thing -I've never been 100% happy with the overall poem myself. :) I honestly think the last line is a little 'clumsy' and I had changed the lines around so much at one point that I was near to deleting it completely. But hey, what do I know? Poetry and The Soup are wonderful things. Cheers - Gary

Paul Callus

Date: 10/4/2021 2:49:00 PM

Both your poem and notes make a lot of sense, Gary. Life can be like a double-edged sword...to follow the rules and be hindered by them, or to run free and come what may!! Certainly food for thought. ~ Regards // paul

Gary Radice
Date: 10/4/2021 11:45:00 PM

Thank you Paul for your comments. Yes, all that you have said. I applaud those who succeed well where chances have been taken and corners cut but I don't believe it's an open door for them to then go ahead and ignore all future rules. Can you imagine politicians doing this? :) Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Anisha Dutta

Date: 9/29/2021 10:18:00 PM

BRILLIANT. You should never blame own personality but always to elevate. Thanks for sharing. Blessings

Gary Radice
Date: 9/30/2021 12:28:00 AM

Thank you Anisha for your insightful comments. Perhaps the word 'blame' should read 'blamed'? Cheers - Gary

Smita Kulkarni

Date: 9/28/2021 11:42:00 AM

Such a great poem! Just this past Saturday, I was on a beach and saw a dog chasing and retrieving his freebie by entering fearlessly into the incoming waves. So much to learn from these k9s!!

Gary Radice
Date: 9/28/2021 11:48:00 AM

Thank you Smita and, yes. we can learn so much. :) Cheers - Gary

Jenna Logan

Date: 9/27/2021 2:39:00 AM

This is fantastic writing, Gary. I’m glad I ran across it this morning.

Gary Radice
Date: 9/27/2021 4:21:00 AM

Hi Jenna and because of your lovely comments I'm glad you ran across it too! :) Thank you! Cheers - Gary

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 9/21/2021 1:59:00 PM

Congratulations on potd Gary. I think many of us wish we could be less inhibited like dogs.

Gary Radice
Date: 9/22/2021 5:23:00 AM

Hi Nancy. Agreed. Thanks for the congratulations. Cheers - Gary

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 9/20/2021 11:07:00 AM

A beautiful poem, Gary. Have seen the scenario many times. Your words brought it back to life. Congrats on your POTH honor.

Gary Radice
Date: 9/20/2021 11:52:00 AM

Thank you Sandra for your visit, read and lovely comments. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 9/12/2021 3:28:00 PM

"...this world seems colder than before..." so sad, so true. All three parts are beautiful. Your writing amazes me.

Gary Radice
Date: 9/12/2021 9:42:00 PM

That's lovely of you to say so Ann, thank you very much. Cheers - Gary

Indiana Shaw

Date: 9/8/2021 12:38:00 AM

Hi Gary, I hear some beaches have a unleashed happy hour just for dogs so they can run amok, which is great because there is nothing better than watching dogs have their moment of freedom now, and how they enjoy it, your poem really captures the moment, a well deserved POTD . . . : )

Gary Radice
Date: 9/8/2021 1:50:00 AM

Thanks Indiana. Yes, I love to see dogs running free on the beach. We had a rescue greyhound but were limited with where he could run and we didn't chance the beach. We'd never have caught him. :) Thanks for the congrats. Cheers - Gary

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/5/2021 6:26:00 PM

I love this write! Congrats congratulations on POTD!

Gary Radice
Date: 9/5/2021 10:53:00 PM

Glad you like it Kim. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary

Ken Rone

Date: 9/3/2021 11:26:00 AM

The twists and turns in a poem are a major features in sustaining interest. Animals add another domension to the possibilities, don't they.? - Ken

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 11:59:00 AM

Thank you! I couldn't agree more Ken with your animals comment. I think one of the most difficult things to achieve in any poem is to sustain interest. I try getting round this by making poems (initially based on my own experiences) appeal and resonate with readers too. Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh

Date: 9/3/2021 12:40:00 AM

Back with congrats Gary, I see your surprised getting awarded potd, you shouldn't be, it's an excellent modest write, but with a huge life lesson for us all, cheers David

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:39:00 AM

Thanks for that David but I was seconds away from deleting the poem. I'm still not overly happy about the last couple of lines but I'm going to have to train my brain to leave things be. :) Cheers - Gary (edit 4th Sept 2021: I've changed the last 2 lines) :)

Brandy Nicole

Date: 9/2/2021 7:08:00 PM

Yes, reality can be very scary. Not all moments are dangerous though. Enjoy the many blessings that surround you while you can. This is beautiful in every way. Congratulations Gary, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:42:00 AM

Hi Brandy! Agreed not all moments are dangerous. I guess it's a question of weighing up pros and cons. Some people will play things safe and others will 'dive in'..of those taking chances some will reap the reward and others wont. Life's rich tapestry :) Thanks so much for your valued comments. Cheers - Gary