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Gary Radice - Premium Member

Notes About The Poem

Published: 31st August 2021

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "Your Favorite Rhyme Poem in August 2021" Poetry Contest sponsored by Constance La France (Judged 30th September 2021)

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.

The Dog On the Beach

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.

Copyright © Gary Radice | Year Posted 2021

allegorybeachdogemotionsliferhyme

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Rachel Treacher

May 12, 2026 at 10:33 PM

I can understand why people enjoy this. It cleverly combines observation with reflection. I'm becoming through life more risk averse and making my own peace with that!

May 13, 2026 at 12:07 AM

Thank you for your valued comments Rachel. Cheers - Gary

Marikate Kingston

May 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM

Maybe for a dog, no bad experiences, no fear. Healing from a brain bleed 3 years ago, there are still times I think, should I be brave and try a new movement or should I hold back from fear, just for today? Bravery, joy and adventure,how nice it would be to have each everyday. Oh, to be a dog "on a beach" or have his daily "beach" bravery. RUFF

June 1, 2025 at 1:46 AM

Marikate, I'm so sorry to learn that you had a bleed on the brain. Thanks so much for your valued input. . Cheers - Gary

June 27, 2024 at 12:04 AM

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

June 27, 2024 at 2:39 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

March 20, 2023 at 1:49 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!

March 20, 2023 at 3:52 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!

March 20, 2023 at 2:40 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

March 18, 2023 at 12:22 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!

March 18, 2023 at 1:40 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

Christopher Flaherty

September 14, 2022 at 12:50 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

September 15, 2022 at 3:01 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

January 19, 2022 at 8:20 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

January 20, 2022 at 1:56 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...but yes, deffo that too Deb. :) Cheers - Gary

Malabika Ray Choudhury

December 27, 2021 at 3:01 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

December 28, 2021 at 2:41 AM

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

December 9, 2021 at 7:13 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

December 9, 2021 at 7:27 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

December 5, 2021 at 9:43 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!

December 5, 2021 at 10:25 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

October 27, 2021 at 6:48 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.

October 27, 2021 at 9:08 AM

Thank you Kim. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

October 26, 2021 at 6:44 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

October 26, 2021 at 9:21 AM

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

October 6, 2021 at 10:54 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?

October 6, 2021 at 12:15 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

October 4, 2021 at 2:49 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

October 4, 2021 at 11:45 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

September 29, 2021 at 10:18 PM

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

September 30, 2021 at 12:28 AM

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

September 28, 2021 at 11:42 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!!

September 28, 2021 at 11:48 AM

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

September 27, 2021 at 2:39 AM

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

September 27, 2021 at 4:21 AM

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

September 21, 2021 at 1:59 PM

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

September 22, 2021 at 5:23 AM

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

September 12, 2021 at 3:28 PM

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

September 12, 2021 at 9:42 PM

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

September 8, 2021 at 12:38 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 . . . : )

September 8, 2021 at 1:50 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

September 5, 2021 at 6:26 PM

I love this write! Congrats congratulations on POTD!

September 5, 2021 at 10:53 PM

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

September 3, 2021 at 11:26 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

September 3, 2021 at 11:59 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

September 3, 2021 at 12:40 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

September 3, 2021 at 3:39 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) :)

September 2, 2021 at 7:08 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

September 3, 2021 at 3:42 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

Leo Larry Amadore

September 2, 2021 at 5:55 PM

Congratulations....and admiration for your deft oblique handling of one of our universal human failures -- restraining our urges in order to conform to "rules"/expectations.....

September 3, 2021 at 3:46 AM

Thank you Leo! Totally agree. I'll add that sometimes I think it's better to not know what the rules are in the first place. Cheers - Gary

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