Barking Madly at the Shore
The early morning wakes to find
the sun struggling above the horizon,
offering what warmth it can,
to a shivering sweep of sky
that is blue with cold.
Below, the sea whispers secrets,
playfully licking at the shoreline
while litter starts to sprint the beach
and jigsaw pieces of cloud
slowly smudge-grey the sky.
Before long, the sea has gained
a mischievous glint in its watery eye
and is barking madly at the shore
as it sends waves to froth and foam
around a finger of lighthouse.
As the day ages, the sea rhythms on
while distant ships slip and slide by
and the occasional winged seagull,
like a torn piece of white paper,
is ripped from the scene.
Eventually as a distant hand
throws darkness all around,
the lighthouse can be seen
silvering the moonless sea;
a detective on its latest case.
Ian Souter
Barking. Off, away
By Frank Daub
She is UNAWARE that she cannot stay – too long.
Her time is limited to short intensiveness,
so, she doesn’t hold back, but plays
and zooms in circles through every room
open to her padded paws.
Stopping suddenly short –
she remembers the love we share
and she pads back to sit looking up at me.
That is when I pray that pups are part of Heaven.
Fatty doggy
Happy sleepy
Witty
Greedy
Pulsing
Patting
Thumping
Hugging
Trendy
Friendly
Watching
Dreaming
Barking
Chasing
A friend
At hand
Whoop whoop whoop whoop, two Barking owls in early morn
so close in bush land which they intermittently adorn
It seems they may be mating, one call a lower pitch
I love the calls of nature my soul it does enrich
our doors are unlocked
country living advantage
having dogs help
no one would dare open that door
their barks frighten grizzly bears and Taylor Swift
one tiny bark from the dog next door
my two dogs turn silly, I know the score
barking back and forth can last for hours
three dogs excited, no dog cowers
entertainment for all three
their barks are huge, in no way wee
the neighbor and I wave, giving a tee hee
we are disturbing no one, since we live in the country
from inside the house
a chaos of wild barking
squirrel in backyard
chihuahua bursts of self assurance
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
My dog’s name is Thalia—
she barks when her tummy’s empty,
barks if she wants my attention,
and barks when a stranger wanders too near,
as if she owns the whole block.
One afternoon in the kitchen,
she just wouldn’t stop.
I figured—alright, food again—
so I scooped her a bowl.
But nope. Still barking her head off.
Curious, I went out to see what was going on.
And there she was—curled up on the sofa,
out cold, not a care in the world.
So… who was in my kitchen?
I was halfway to the car,
still trying to puzzle it out,
when a voice broke in—
“Wake up, Madison, we’re almost late!”
That’s when it hit me—
I’d been chasing a dream all along.
And like life itself,
it showed me that friends may be found anywhere,
but when the truth sinks in,
you see the ones who matter most
are those who’ve stood beside you
through thick and thin.
the big headed dogs
barking! they are almost dead
they bark here and there
Used to gad about town as such in my day
but don't get around much anymore
conked out zonked out
(perchance to dream)
I prefer to remain
housebound indoors
yes it's an age-old refrain
my dogs are barking
and my best guess they may really be
completely up the wrong tree entirely
but my best bet yet feeling my years
(the weight of the world)
I'm in a slump down in the dumps
a pooch too tired to smooch
tho' stooped but healthy hale and hearty
this poor pup's too pooped to party
Winter Hiku 13
~ ~ ~
wild winter winds ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~~
even more wrathful
the barking dogs.
A barking dog never bites
yeah, right, just try telling that to the neighbors
German Shepherd!!
Barking at the dog
One day the dog got angry
I run up a tree.
Be you! Yelled Aunt Donna. Laugh! Sing! Play! Dance!
The cat gave her his slow eye, she was ignored by dog Chance.
Be the best you that you can be! She yelled at them. Play I mean Play!
The dog took the hint and began doing a boogie lively and gay.
The cat did not care, no one could motivate her to move a wink.
She slid into a cozy hiding spot under the old kitchen sink
Be you! Yelled Aunt Donna. Be the best you that you can be!
The cat rolled her eyes; didn’t she get it? This is the best me.
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