This poem is written on the Open Mic theme; 'Dog'.
Black Dog
I have three black dogs;
A little one called Loki
a vibrant ball of fun,
then Ame, getting old now
she has a smelly bum.
The third is mean and vicious
it stalks me most the time
its growls are seditious
it's demeanour is malign.
In the end; It will kill me,
a conclusion long forgone.
I wish that I could shake it
but the bastard's name, is John.
John Carré Buchanan
05 July 2017
If you click on the link below you can listen to me read this poem.
Aah that's clever writing! Enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletethank you Thotpurge, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteTsk - what a fun take
ReplyDeleteThank you Jae,
DeleteHa...I was wondering about its name till I came to the last line. lol!
ReplyDeleteHi Sumana, Thanks for your comment.
DeleteMy laugh for the morning! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi MMT, interesting! I write on depression and suicide and all four readers who have commented so far have enjoyed it or found it funny.... I must be slipping! thanks for your comment.
DeleteLol, this made me smile. You are lucky to have dogs.I miss them.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, Thanks for your comment.
DeleteJohn, I came back to read again, and relize I read too quickly and failed to acknowledge the third black dog. I do know how he can "dog" your thoughts and your steps, understandably as you have suffered such an arduous journey with pain. So sorry I sailed through too quickly first time around....one gets deflected by humour sometimes and misses the point of the poem. Ack.
DeleteHi Sherry, thanks for coming back to re-read the poem, thanks also for your kind comment.
DeleteBrilliant John. I laughed a lot when reading the close and again when listening to your reading. (Still laughing whenever I think about it.)
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Hi Anna, Thanks for the comment, I had not intended it being funny, more of a commentary about struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, but each to their own!
DeleteI am so glad I returned here John for otherwise I would have been oblivious to my error of not looking deep enough into your words. My comment must appear heartless and cruel. I am so sorry.
DeleteI should know better.
I wrote of the black dog some years ago, here:
https://hypercryptical.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/depression.html
Once again, apologies John.
Anna
Hi Anna, No problem, it seems most people missed the point. No harm was done.
DeleteLol this make me grin. Beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteHi Sanaa, Thank you for your comment.
DeleteWell, the image of being chased by a dog of the same name leaves me pondering. We cannot run from ourselves. There is humor in your writing even with an underlining sadness.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can out run that dog...(smiles)
Thanks Truedessa, Black dog is a term used for depression, the poem is about depression and suicide. I hope I can outrun John too.
DeleteWe all have a dark side, bringing it to light is the work of a lifetime. Sometimes we cower in a corner, other times we write about it, and that is a good thing,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2017/11/19/monkey-business-in-moonlight/
Hi Elizabeth, you're right sharing is a good start. Thanks for your kind comment.
DeleteYes that conclusion is menacing... as if we had a part of the heart we can't avoid... can you every cut your heart in half?
ReplyDeleteHi Brudberg, Thanks for your comment, That would be one way to go!
DeleteUnlike most, I found your poem rawly introspective. We are so often our own worst enemy. Don't feed the black dog!
ReplyDeleteHi Indybev, Thank you, both for the comment and your support, both are very much appreciated.
DeleteOh this was fun....love your humor!
ReplyDeleteHI Donna, Thanks for your comment.
DeleteOh my, I think you've surpassed yourself here, John ;))
ReplyDeleteHi Julian, thank you for your kind comment.
DeleteReally a stunning poem, John! Never expected the ending...chilled me a bit in its realism, but I appreciate your honesty AND your gifted use words.
ReplyDelete(I don't understand either how people could find any humor in your lines....keep up the fight! I think you are stronger than the black dog.)
Hi Mary, thank you for your comment and support it is very much appreciated. I must admit that people finding so much humour in a poem about depression and suicide has puzzled and saddened me greatly. Once again, thanks for your support.
DeleteYou certainly have personalised that black dog within you. If only you could leave him at the dog pound!
ReplyDeleteHi Old Egg, thanks for your comment. I too wish I could leave him at the pound, one gets tired of being hunted by him every day.
DeleteI'm thinking about this. A self-portrait or a "come back to bite you."
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen, this one is definitely a self portrait and every day It gets close to biting me, so I guess a bit of both. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteHahaha...........
ReplyDeleteZQ
Thanks for the comment ZQ.
DeleteI guess I missed the point hmmm.
ReplyDeleteZQ
It looks like most people did ZQ, no problem.
DeleteAn impactful piece. Though droll, initially, it is ultimately heart-rending - albeit compellingly written.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, Thanks for your comment, The deliberate 'drollness' was designed to reflect that sufferers of depression often wear a mask which can over compensate. I'm glad you appreciated the write!
Deletehahaha this poem could be a topic for Thanksgiving dinner. funny as ever!
ReplyDeleteHi J.T, Not really! Thanks for your comment though.
DeleteI am close to a person who is visited by the black dog regularly.
ReplyDeleteNot fun at all. You're a soldier so you have a head start. It's war. You can beat this bastard with clever warfare strategies, absolute determination and good support . The battle will be ongoing but you will win because you have to.
hi Rallentanda, thanks for your kind comment and you or support. I wish I was as confident.
DeleteI don't think the comments were meant in any way to be malicious. There are nasty poets ...but not in this group...so I would not take this personally. I think sometimes because of being time poor they rush through the readings without fully understanding the meaning.Sorry you are upset.
ReplyDeleteHi Rallentanda, I know they are not malicious and I haven't taken anything personally. Sadly it looks like you are right about people 'hitting and running' with comments, rather than taking the time to read and enjoy the poems, perhaps a sign of our times. Thanks for your support.
DeleteI think you are exaggerating, but, hey! It's a delightful read.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, thanks for your comment, sadly this is not an exaggeration,I live in permenant pain as the result of an accident, and every day I battle this particular dog.
DeleteI hear you. It is only long suffering that finds the way to make others grin. Rereading, I let what I felt exaggeration earlier sink into my bones. You have talent, John, and speak your truth so others can speak.
DeleteHi Susan, Thanks for coming back for a re-read. Thanks also for your kind comment.
DeleteSuch sweet creatures dogs, perhaps the black dog that hounds you, is not a dog at all? I do not know an animal that would be so cruel? You say, "It is you." And for that I am so sorry...what a heavy cross to bear. I would not want you to go before your time, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHi Annell, Thanks for both your kind comment and your support, they are very much appreciated.
DeleteI returned once again to read your comment on my comment and to read more of other people's comments. It does sadden me that so many seemed to have read quickly and missed the point. I also think perhaps that the expression 'the black dog' is one that is unfamiliar to people. I don't know really what accounts for the comments that this is a humorous poem...but I hope you will continue to keep writing your meaningful stuff!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, thanks for coming back to post another comment. The term black dog was popularised by Sir Winston Churchill when he used it to describe his depression. Since then its use has become synonymous with depression. It is a shame that that the poem was not well understood but it has touched a few people and helped raise awareness so overall it was worth posting. Hopefully my future poems will be better understood.
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