The Tau (Way) of Dogs

After reading Indigo's humorous entry tonight, and the words to Elvis' "Dog's Life", I remembered a poem I wrote a few years back about my dogs. It was spring, and I was jealous that my dogs had nothing to do all day except look out the window, chase squirrels, and sleep. Summer was a few months away that March day. I had wished I was following the "Way of the Dogs".

                                  

The Tau (Way) of Dogs

Little doggies in the dark want to go outside and bark

At the people, at the cars, at the squirrels and the stars.

From the window they can see pigeons, blue jays, chickadees,

Cardinals and finches, too. Then a squirrel leaps into view!

 

Its movement catches doggie eyes. Tails are wagging, ears held high,

Scratching at the window panes. Just one thought in doggie brains.

Bounding to the back door then, leaping on the couch again.

Excitedly at the door they stand knowing freedom is at hand.

 

Waiting for the door to open, staring at it, ever hoping.

Patient little doggies know doors open when they gotta go!

Finally, their wish comes true. They bolt into the morning dew,

Heading for the squirrel trail, searching for that squirrel tail.

 

Squirrel hears them coming fast. It scampers up a tree at last.

Doggies sniffing all around, noses vacuuming the ground.

Giving up on squirrel chase, soon the two are in a race.

Running through the woods once more and then they’re standing at the door.

                                                 

Again it opens at their scratching. At the window they sit watching

For another chance to see that squirrel scurrying down a tree.

Finally, on the couch they lie letting out their doggie sighs,

Happy to be home again. When summer comes, I’ll be like them!

 

They run and play and eat and sleep, no calendars for them keep.

No phones to answer, no bills to pay. I’d say my dogs have found “The Way.”

                             

                      Bea Gilmore, 3-17-02

 

I use it as a model, sometimes, to break the ice for kids in the classroom when they start writing their own poems. By the time they hear it, they already know all about Max and Misty, have seen pictures of them, so they laugh when I read it to them.

I think it's important for the kids to read real writing from their own teachers, even the poems. We've been told to read in front of our students so they'll pick up reading as a daily habit. I think, likewise, we should write in front of them too. I've got a collection of poems and stories I've written, as well as those written by other people, including other students.

It always amazes a student when I read them the poems of Mattie Stepanek. They can't believe that he was so young when he wrote them. Then I tell them Mattie's story, and they want to read more of his poems. Mattie was, and is, an inspiration for us all.

If you are not familiar with the mission, words, and spirit of young peacemaker Mattie, who died three years ago at the age of 14, check out his website.

And in closing, just a side-note, in case you didn't notice: this is my third entry in 24 hours. It won't happen again, until my 3rd year anniversary, in 2008.

And a big thank you to Donna for making this tag for me some time ago. It seems appropriate with my new position integrating art with grade level curriculum this coming school year. Which is only three weeks away, folks!

                                                                   

 

Tags: The Way of Dogs, Mattie Stepanek