Jackboy’s Lament
We define ourselves in movement,
in the uncertain light and forms
shuddering by: fences, the nameless
wave, odors, dark water.
Look at the hills, their lines stretched taut like
smiles, or voices torn from the earth.
Or the creek below us – how its mouth never closes
yet nothing emerges but a shadow
on the wind. Two questions arise,
leaving only the abandoned to consider.
In our solitude, only my self is missing.
“Jackboy’s Lament” made its first appearance here in October 2015. I started the poem about a dozen years ago, after a drive through the Texas hill country with Jackboy the cattledog, who was quite the philosopher and humorist. This is what emerged after several conversations and much reflection over his circumstances (abused, abandoned, rescued). Jack didn’t talk much, but he thought. Oh, how he thought.
O at the Edges 
A really nice poem.
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Thanks very much, Joanne.
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Gorgeous, thought provoking images!
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Thank you, Vanessa. Jackboy provoked much thinking.
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It’s my pleasure.
I’m sure! It sounds like he went through a lot.
How lovely you found each other, and that you listened 🙂
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He was a great dog, I miss him.
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Lovely writing.
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Thank you very much.
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The conversations with our dog, are always very intelligent, but very one sided, as we silently listen intently
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I’ve learned much from dogs!
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Woof, I understand….
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