A peculiar hot westerly wind blows down and around the mountains.
The dog hears it first.
It carries scents he doesn’t know
Noises and sounds too far to place.
In the darkness he senses reasons for concern.
He is not alone.
Dogs bark their weariness;
Their signals slide down through blackish crags.
He peers into the night seeking answers but finds none.
Unformed canine queries heap at his feet.
He mutters in frustration.
How can a dog guard his people when danger hides?
Three stars remain visible in the blue lunar haze.
A creature makes her way on crunchy leaves,
In a slight, confusing, wrinkly sound
… A slither may be.
Citronella candles blow out in a gust;
The pool breaks out in quivers.
Strange voices tangle in the bougainvillea
Rip some faded blooms on their way down the hill.
More barks.
Cicadas are silent.
A door slams.
He looks at his charges blithely ignorant and carefree.
His ears twitch, reading the night air.
His friend says something; she laughs.
With an exasperated sigh he lies down
At their feet and remains on watch.
Excellent.
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Thank you Lyn. I am glad you enjoyed this piece.
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I’m going to read this aloud to my Sheppard, Boris.
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Haha! Something tells me that Boris will relate! Hmmm, cats and a dog (or dogs?) to greet in the morning before you remember your name… 😉
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Dogs… Two.
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Is that your puppy, Emm? A handsome lad if I ever saw one. Animals are so much more instinctive and aware of things of which we humans are clueless. …and most of them have the good sense to come in out of the rain!
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Yes, that’s my dog for now. He was my dad’s dog. He is beautiful, no doubt about that. Around here, even little kids think he is awesome. Eros (that’s his name, I didn’t pick it) is very transparent in his communications. When he is disgusted, you know it!
Aww Paul, playing in the rain can be fun! It all depends on the moment, the temperature and the size of the puddles! 🙂
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An amazing perception of a dog’s senses. How stupid they must think we are sometimes, eh?
rjb
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My dog doesnt hide his feelings. He thinks we are quite dense most of the time… lovable, but pretty dim.;-)
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Ah, c’est vraiment dur d’etre un chien.
Et vraiment superbe d’etre un ecrivain comme toi.
Formidable!
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C’est parfois dur, mais il y a des bonus!Ce serait bien si seulement les charges du chien n’insistaient pas a vouloir se noyer!
Merci pour ton compliment tu es toujours gentil..
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Kersplash!!!!
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