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the dog on the beach

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Published: 31st August 2021

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st = in Constance Le France's "Your Favorite Rhyme Poem in August 2021" Poetry Contest and

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

The first two stanzas question whether conforming to rules impedes our ability to achieve. The last stanza 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 he sensed no danger unlike me when i chased young dreams on this earth. at some point in reality against the waves i lost my nerve i blame my personality respecting nature's tides since birth. and now that dog's just running free - his ball retrieved with canine verve despite the 'rule' that he should be kept on a lead - for all that's worth.

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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 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

Leo Larry Amadore

Date: 9/2/2021 5:55:00 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.....

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:46:00 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

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 9/2/2021 4:42:00 PM

Hi Gary! This poem spoke to me because of all the times I have felt on a leash but respected the rules instead of run free like I longed to. Thank you for this. Very worthy of POTD. Congrats!

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:49:00 AM

Hi Jennifer. Snap! I feel / have felt the same way too. Rules are there "to protect us" we are told. Well..yes and no..but that's another poem! :) Thanks for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Regina McIntosh

Date: 9/2/2021 4:33:00 PM

Congrats :) God bless you. Love, Gina

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:51:00 AM

Thanks again Gina - Much appreciated! Cheers - Gary

Constance La France

Date: 9/2/2021 3:23:00 PM

Gary, beautiful and congratulations on your win in my contest and for receiving POEM OF THE DAY ~ peace and tranquility _ Constance

Gary Radice
Date: 9/3/2021 3:54:00 AM

Hi Constance! First of all thanks for running the great competition and thank you for the first placement. It was a toss up with me whether I entered this or another poem. I'm glad I stuck with this one. :) Thanks, too for your comment re POTD. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf

Date: 9/2/2021 2:07:00 PM

Cute -- yet profound. It's a dog life, one can see! Congrats on POTD, Gershon

Gary Radice
Date: 9/2/2021 2:24:00 PM

Thanks Gershon. I'm still trying to figure out how POTD is chosen but until I do work it out a very big thanks to you and everyone for their lovely comments that I've received today. Cheers - Gary

Jeanne McGee

Date: 9/2/2021 11:52:00 AM

I love watching dogs chase thier favorite toy in the sea. Nicely written. Congrats on your POTD

Gary Radice
Date: 9/2/2021 11:58:00 AM

I'm with you on that Jeanne..I love watching dogs chase their toy in the sea. One of life's pleasures. Cheers - Gary