Canine Chronicles by Ron Boughton reflects on the dogs that become part of a family’s story, marking the chapters of a life with loyalty, affection and companionship.
From the bond between a child and their first dog to the quiet heartbreak of watching a faithful old mate grow weary, the poem honours the memories carried in those dog-eared pages.
Canine Chronicles
By Ron Boughton
©Ron Boughton May 2019.
For many lucky people their life story can be told,
as in, chapters of a book filled with pages of gold
showing biographical contentment, over the years honed,
with each chapter portrayed …by the dogs they have owned!
Though only a portion of ours, being a dog’s life span,
but such fulfillment bring to the overall plan
that the grief of their passing can be painful to endure
but, the knowledge, of a good life does time help cure!
Sad for those who have never had a canine connection
(never relished the value of a dog’s affection)
as there is nothing that cements in the memory log
like witnessing the bond of a child and their dog.
The first chapter in their book of a kindred journey
that no classroom or tutor, could possibly ‘learn thee’
a grounding of sorts transitioning to the inner self
more stable than ideals such as ego or pelf!
As a kid, when in strife, and maybe even had the strap!
You think the world’s against you, then feel in your lap,
the muzzle of one who doesn’t judge, but understands you,
so with faith then restored you can put out your hand to
the friend, ah yes! The true friend indeed
helping those troubles and woes of your life recede,
and proportions a sense of values, that plainly you learn,
for it’s not really much, that is asked in return.
No matter what the breed, and they are varied and many
and some dogs being like their owners …is uncanny!
But most being loyal, possess a faithfulness syndrome
exemplified in the overexcited welcomes home!
They can guard and guide and sniff out things unlawful!
Some are preened and spoiled while others smell bloody awful!
And when they chew or dig holes from boredom or distress
The fault’s not with the dog, but master or mistress!
And damned be the cur, who, of animal cruelty partakes,
may karma educate their ignorant mistakes!
As just a little time and commitment advances towards,
loyal behaviour that creates its own rewards.
And some dogs to their masters, an immense value command,
such as the steadfast and tireless working dogs of the land,
who perform with such stamina and engrossment unmatched,
that is triggered from instinct … with no strings attached!
But there is nothing that mellows to the depths of our soul
than seeing a faithful old dog start to lose control,
with the mind still willing, but sadly the body not so,
and dimming eyes that once shimmered a healthy glow,
stare unseeing into a distance of somewhere unknown,
but for us, it is a seed of humbleness sown
as sadly time has come for another chapter to pass,
and we, then reflect of the sand through the hourglass!
Those individual chapters, having rolled down through the years,
even with some overlapping, create what appears,
like a passing of the baton, or, more likely a bone
as a message buried, with a text of its own!
Telegraphing your character, a real duty of care,
an element of your journey’s experience to share,
where images in the mind’s eye, looking back, as one ages,
bring a smile, when reminiscing those …dog-eared pages!
Keeping The Verse Alive
Canine Chronicles is shared with permission from Ron Boughton through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Ron Boughton
Bush Poet • Reciter • Retired Bricklayer • Motorcyclist
Ron Boughton is a Blue Mountains bush poet and reciter whose life has been shaped by family, more than 50 years in bricklaying and many years exploring Australia by motorcycle. He enjoys capturing the character of bush life through rhyme and metre while continuing to discover the history of country towns.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
