My Dog Jack: a poem from local author John Bragstad
Apr 27, 2023 11:02AM ● By Content Editor
Photo provided. Jack (left) and Lucy (right)
By local author and writer John Bragstad for Boreal Community Media - April 27, 2023
From: “Who’s Watching Whoo?”
Related: Meet your Boreal Community Media Freelance Journalist: John Bragstad
By local author and writer John Bragstad for Boreal Community Media - April 27, 2023
From: “Who’s Watching Whoo?”
Seasons come, and seasons go.
“My Dog Jack” was written about
a beloved dog we lost only a few
years ago. But now we have Lucy.
“My Dog Jack” was written about
a beloved dog we lost only a few
years ago. But now we have Lucy.
Here’s to all the pet lovers who
persist, love, grieve and miss true
friends of the family and steady
companions. They are with us still.
persist, love, grieve and miss true
friends of the family and steady
companions. They are with us still.
And we are brave enough to share
even their final journeys. And
sometimes seek out another.
even their final journeys. And
sometimes seek out another.
I whisper his name
and his one ear pivots
to take in the sound,
to respond.
and his one ear pivots
to take in the sound,
to respond.
Contrary at times,
watchful,
ready and playful
he waits
to walk me through my days.
watchful,
ready and playful
he waits
to walk me through my days.
He is the commander of the road,
my protector from imagined sights
sounded outside my window.
my protector from imagined sights
sounded outside my window.
He rides shotgun beside me on the
couch,
Accompanies me to town,
Slumbers beside me when I sleep.
Soothes me with his fur
beneath my roaming, roving
traveling hand.
couch,
Accompanies me to town,
Slumbers beside me when I sleep.
Soothes me with his fur
beneath my roaming, roving
traveling hand.
His smallness invites care
Though he does not think it.
Deer are his equal,
Other dogs can be his nemesis.
Though he does not think it.
Deer are his equal,
Other dogs can be his nemesis.
Today he finds comfort
apart from me.
His body aches in
strange, unfamiliar places.
Soft protests make their rounds.
Age is getting the better of us.
apart from me.
His body aches in
strange, unfamiliar places.
Soft protests make their rounds.
Age is getting the better of us.
He will forgive me this moment
of dour reflection,
of lingering dread.
of dour reflection,
of lingering dread.
The Chase Game is never dull. Curled up close,
White-whiskered,
Relevant to me,
worshipful,
White-whiskered,
Relevant to me,
worshipful,
I cannot let him go.
About the author
John A. Bragstad has been a therapist, working with couples and individuals, for 25 years. He is self-published and is enjoying retirement. Lake Superior is just off his front porch.
He has written three books: Compass Season, Loon Laughter at Midnight, and Who's Watching Whoo? They are available in Grand Marais at Drury Lane and Lake Superior Trading Post, or at Amazon.com.Related: Meet your Boreal Community Media Freelance Journalist: John Bragstad
