9.27.2010

Barking Dog



A poem about a Barking Dog!
by Billy Collins

The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rythmic bark
that he barks everytime they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.

The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking,barking.

and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.

When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton

while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.
                                    Billy Collins

Have a great week everyone!

Kisses,
Stella, Zkhat and Jo

16 comments:

Martha said...

We have not heard that poem before Stella - we can imagine the neighbours would not be pleased!
We hope you had a good weekend.
love
Martha and Bailey xxx

How Sam Sees It said...

We've got one of those! What a cute poem - we've never read it before!

Sam

WFT Nobby said...

What an excellent poem. Thank you Stella.
Gail says "You should hear the 'chorus' when Bertie decides to have a conversation across the garden wall with next door's springer spaniel Molly!"
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

KB said...

I used to live within feet of one of those when I lived in the city. As much as I love dogs, I wanted to whack the people over the head. They didn't care that their dogs barked all day and all night long. Of course they barked, they never left their 12X12' pen!

For all the frustration that a nearby barking dog can bring, it's a very nice poem!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Is that what those neighbors of mine do? Turn the bark on, on their dog?

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We have a lot of dogs in our neighborhood who need to try out for that orchestra AND move away from here. Mom says she is very glad we are not barkers.

We are hoping your area was not affected by the terrible flooding in MN.

With the chill in the air this morning, it is sure the right time to hang the fall flag. Here's hoping there is still some pretty color to come from the leaves.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Cute Poem. Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

brooke said...

i like the poem!
We have a neighbor with a barking dog. Its not a daily thing, but every so often we'll hear nonstop barking. I feel bad for the doggy.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That is a cute poem! We have lots of dogs around here but none that bark too much at all...but if one starts barking at something and we are all outside at the same time, we pick up on the song and keep it going until somebody stops us! Lots of love, Holly

TwoSpecialWires said...

Maybe I'll try that. Barking. The next time MyGirl plays Beethoven. Or not. Probably not.

It was a fun idea, though.
Jake

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

What a great poem Stella.. Well done...
Are the leaves turning colors yet up there?

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Lorenza said...

Pawesome poem!
I have some doggie neighbors who bark, and bark, and bark... all day long!
Maybe some music could help them!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Stella said...

Questions answered!

OP Pack Mom, no flooding where we are and most thankful too. Its mostly down in the southern part of the state and I hope it stays there.

Happy Heeler Mom: Yes, we have leaves turning, my Amur maple is getting red, but its not as pretty as it usually is. None of the trees are. Maybe too much rain, too warm, too cold, too much daylight, not enough, thats right, I don't know! Now you have made me want to look it up!

Cheers to all,
Jo

Sue said...

Good poem. We all like a good group howl now and then and Mom thinks it's pretty funny. She even starts it sometimes. She says we can't bark outside at night when people are sleeping, but other times it's OK if we don't get carried away.
Morgan, Tsar and the Porties

Amy & the house of cats said...

That is a great poem Stella!

Sasha said...

we love this poem.