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Madeleine Pic

Some more remembrances of Zephy as well as the standard advice one receives from literary instructors.



Zeph Gets Her Way

		Zeph, the terrier, stares at me
		I've never written a poem about her
		how come? her head tilts querulously
		some people hate dog poems, I fumble
		the adjudicator at the last contest
		passed out this useful advice for future entrants
		"got a dog poem in your head? -- forget it;
		gardens in the sunshine? -- yawn;
		your first love? -- don't even start it"

		Well growls, Zeph, 
		if life's so boring 
		why not just roll over and die?
		been there, done that
		bet he never tasted a good chewstick

		Yeah, I tell Zeph,
		if you listen to critics you never do anything

		She paws at my arm
		I know -- I still haven't answered the first question

		Well, your friend Mady is quieter, I try --
		more of a still reflective surface
		probably easier to project thoughts on to
		(there's nothing still about a Zeph)

		Zeph paws at me again and barks
		either she wants out
		or she's horrified at my fallacious logic

		I decide it's the logic
		Look, Zeph, your friend Mady's the resident listener
		don't even have to go to an office for her services
		she's not better, just different
		more the poem-attracting type

		Zeph's not convinced
		I need a poem and I need it now, she woofs
		like NOW NOW
		and she jumps up and down frantically
		Zeph's needs are never time-delayed

		OK, OK I'll do it, I say, opening the door, somewhat shamefaced
		and she rushes out happily after a squirrel

		all our universes intersect (the many worlds hypothesis?)
		what I know is -- when hers was created
		the joyful call rang out:
		let there be noise



Copyright © Rod Anderson 1996


http://www.rodmer.com/SwallowHill/ZephWay.html -- Revised Aug 9, 2005
Copyright © 1996-2005 Merike Lugus and Rod Anderson
rod@rodmer.com