‘Storm Dog’ and Other Poetry by Gigi Ryan

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Storm Dog

Thunder, bounding through the holler, shouts.
The lights are flickering but are not out.
My dog is terrified out in the rain,
(My cats don’t mind or so their actions claim.)

I let him in his panic to assuage,
His gratefulness to me his eyes display.
He gleefully shakes water everywhere
As resonating thunder shakes our wares.

Surely water’s rising in our creek,
My chance of further sleep is looking bleak.
I wonder if my grandkids have awaked;
I hope not for their weary parents’ sake.

I make myself a cup of decaf tea
And light a candle should it come to be
That we lose power. (One can never tell.)
Perhaps it will disguise this wet dog smell.

If my son finds my darling in the house,
His irritation likely will arouse.
But Lobo is the best dog in the world,
Shamelessly, by me he will be spoiled.

For years he’s guarded kids and many flocks,
Coyotes stay away because he barks
All night. He’s known for being bold and cool
But booms and blastings make him come unglued.

The storm has waned, the rain has settled down;
My pooch goes back outside without a frown.
Goodnight dear storm and goodnight thundering,
I’m going back to bed and slumbering.

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Faithful Friend

Chosen on his master’s wedding day,
The puppy was a favored, happy pet.
Taught to be well-mannered, he displayed
An easy temper, even common sense.
Companion of the couple many years
Before their own three children came along,
Envy-free, he loved the human peers
That made him one of four among the throng.
From beach vacations to his doggie dates,
Tyler lived a long and blessed life.
Then it was found that cancer was his fate;
Sad days were comingr the man and wife.
The patient, noble dog sat watching, brave,
As the man dug what would be his grave.

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Gigi Ryan is a wife, mother, grandmother, and home educator. She lives in rural Tennessee.