The Dog's Grand Passion

by Valerie Laub

Thanks to Valerie for sending in this poem - and if you haven't already heard, she and the cast of Alberta Tarzans: The  Musical are working on another play.

There is a dog, small, black, 

and wet, who loves to chase 

rocks in the river shallows.

(And when I say, “love,” 

believe me, I mean “love.”)

My role in the play of this small, black dog 

is to throw the rocks. Rock after rock after rock. 

I throw rocks until my arm hurts and my shoulder aches. 

I throw rocks until the river is choked with stones, 

the beach bare, night threatens and winter bites the air.

I throw rocks as this small black dog dashes, 

careless of stars and seasons,

through the riotous, rollicking waves. 

Once home, I return to my passion -- 

seeking words that bring my day to life.

The dog, sprawled under the dying sun,

dreams of rocks flying; 

the sheer glory and glint of river spray; 

her sweet, sleek black body plunging 

through the perfect poem of her day.