The Seasons : Four Dalmatian Poems

Pieces of Spring

In early Spring, in years we've bred,
the winter pups are leaving;
a time of joy, and hopes, and prayer,
and, on my part, some grieving.

They leave with leads, and puppy food,
and lots of wishes bidden;
but, where only the puppy knows,
a piece of me is hidden.

Next year I'll visit them again,
and feel their hugs and kisses;
and, if they're honestly content,
they'll give me back these pieces.

And if all pieces are returned
and time has dulled the fear,
I'll think of fuzz, and puppy breath,
and brace for Spring next year!

Snapshots of Summer

Stalking dragonflies ranks high on the ladder of futility,
but in early Summer evenings the Dalmatians seem to love it;
they leap high in demonstration of their marvelous agility,
and then contemplate their nose, and the dragonfly above it.

There is something most alluring about new-grown Summer grass
that compels every Dalmatian to turn bovine and ingest it.
But, alas, it re-emerges when it gets to a certain mass-
they can chew it, they can eat it, but they sure cannot digest it!

Summer is a time of drowsy, stretched out in the shade spots,
half-closed eylids, pungent apples, and the distant thought of swimming.
I look at Summer as an album full of sweet and soothing shots,
storing memories away for a winter's evening dreaming.

Dalmatian Autumn

Homer, I fear, is growing old;
my gorgeous blue-eyed boy;
my son's bed pal, my first show dog,
my friend, my pride, my joy!

I watch him in the morning mist
now studying frogs, now prancing-
his famous yearly ritual:
Dalmatian Autumn dancing!

Time will win out, and slow him down,
and I accept that notion.
But until then, I'll watch him dance
his song of spots in motion!

Winter Dreams

Sometimes, during the winter season,
Dalmatians appear depressed.
They seem off their usual best,
for no reason.

Personally, I rather enjoy the slowdown,
and they seem to concur;
inert layers of black-spotted fur,
and some brown.

Outside, there's a thick, icy glaze.
Dals hibernate, it seems;
twiching, living again in their dreams,
longer days.

Kim Blutreich Minoan Dalmatians P.O. Box 580 Wingate, NC 28174