Michael J. Rosen - Unsung Dog Song

Unsung Dog Song
by
Michael J. Rosen

My Dog, you are Close when others are Distance,
you’re Welcome at every screen door.
You are Home when still we are far away,
and Ready, no matter what for.

Wherever there’s water you’re Splash, my dog,
you’re Fetch whatever is thrown.
You’re Chase if ever there’s room for a run.
You’re Stay when I stay here alone.

You are Warmth with never a thought to weather,
you’re Yes with never a word.
Yes is you, no matter the question,
no matter the no’s you’ve heard.

You are Ears for all that is quiet, my dog,
Listener to what’s underground.
You are Nose to all of the news that is smell,
though I never know what you’ve found.

You are Demon of Squirrels, Barker at Gates,
a Clown who invents his own tricks.
You are Keeper of Secrets, Thief of my Socks,
my Beggar, my Bringer of Sticks.

You are Praise whenever I lose or I win.
You are Watch, whatever I try.
You’re Again! when everyone else says enough!
Let’s go! is your always reply.

You’re all-over Soft (especially your ears),
except for the scratch of your toes.
You are filler of Vacuums, Shedder Supreme,
I wear some of you on my clothes.

You’re Grown-up as much as I want to be,
and Puppy no matter what stage.
No matter the number of years we are old,
you’re always my very own age.

Dog of All Dogs, you are my own Song:
the tune is a walk on a trail,
the lyrics are simply the lick of your tongue,
the beat is the wag of your tail.

© Michael J. Rosen. All rights reserved.

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If you've ever been to Michael J. Rosen's website, you might get the sense that he likes dogs a wee bit. In fact, there he describes himself not as a philosopher but as a self-proclaimed fidosopher. If you've never been to his site, you've probably gotten the same sense from today's poem. As a fellow dog lover, I read this poem and think "Yeah! What he said!" I can offer no higher praise... though I admit I'm also filled with the urge to go on a walk around the block.

Earlier this year, Chanukah Lights, a book Michael wrote and Robert Sabuda paper-engineered, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Younger Readers category. If you haven't seen and read this book, you really must: it is history brought to life with words and art that are perfectly suited for each other.  Then changing gears from that and dogs... his upcoming book (upcoming as in Thursday!), Running With Trains, is a novel in poetry and two voices, something that sounds both challenging to write and intriguing to read. I know I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it, and I also know I'm thrilled to have Michael J. Rosen here today as part of 30 Poets/30 Days.

Yesterday Lorraine Marwood gave us Cockatoo: a Portrait. Tomorrow... Riddle me, Riddle me by Helen Frost! For more on 30 Poets/30 Days and ways to follow along, please click here.