Ferenc Inigo Beck
Ah Joe. Where is there a greater friendship,(or love).thanks for the memories,(bittersweet)
2012-11-19

Oh the build up... until the final stanza which drove the poem right through this reader's heart.... I remember the old "his master's voice" vinyl discs, with the red label.... I shall go away from this poem (for a momentary period) and weep... Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece.
2012-11-01

This is a good poem to go with "Birches" which the Editors posted today. They share a passion and a looking back, and an uncertainty about tomorrow, or an unease. Both are a bit darker than seen at first glance. Well done, and, the image of Jake before the fire in nice—it's nice when reality matches expectations.

jim
2012-10-31

Lawrence Beck
This is very nice, Joe. It's simple and to the point (no doubt representing the temperament of both man and dog), but artfully written, and, unfortunately, true.
2012-10-31

countryfog
Indeed there are no words then, though sometimes, later, we can find them. If you've not read it may I suggest Robinson Jeffers' "The House-Dog's Grave." Jeffers was an unsentimental curmudgeon but even he was profoundly affected by his dog's passing. I had to put down my "best friend" earlier this year after sixteen years, it was, and still is, hard.
2012-10-31