Man's best friend

A poem about devotion, loyalty and companionship.

A little bat & ball, is good for one & all 
but who would join me for a game? 
Perhaps my next door neighbour 
would kindly do me a favour 
so upon his front doorbell, 

was my finger's aim! 

"Ah the pleasure would be mine 

but now is not the time,

alas with you, I cannot play, 
I have just this hour,

to mow the lawn and wash the car 
call back some other day"! 

Although a tad downtrodden, 
I thought all off a sudden 
with my skipper I shall call !
"Have you lost all sense of reason 
it's long past was the cricket season"
and off he went to play football !

Now somewhat sadder, 
an idea made me feel gladder 
I'll ask my good lady, the wife !
"Do you think I have nothing better to do 
than stand in a field and throw a ball at you, 
be off and cause me no more strife"! 

Now my mood was low, alone I'd have to go 

as usual was the trend,

without obliging, human friend 

Then at my leg a tug, I glanced down the the rug, 

standing there with ball, for my attention his urgent call,

none other than my old dog Fred !

And it was plain to see, as he looked up at me 

through devoted eyes, this is what he said... 

"Throughout all mankind, a true friend is hard to find 
your neighbour maybe busy,
your skipper thinks you're crazy 
and she cannot always be there for you, your wife! 

So day or night just call my name, 
I'm always up for any game 
through triumph and disaster, 
I will for you my master, 
gladly fetch your cricket ball 
and of course that's not all, for You ! I'd gladly give my life'!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poem. Good to have a companion on a warm day.
"Do you think I have nothing better to do
than stand in a field and throw a ball at you
Be off and cause me no more strife"!
The above is my favorite. Thank you for the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Tom]

Thank you poet Coyote !

[Neville]

How come I missed this poetical work of yours for such a long time? In my mind 'Man's Best Friend' is essentially a beautiful story and a tribute all rolled into one delightful package.

Yeah, you have a true knack of being able to take your reader back to happy times and places Tom. All Good Things my Literary Friend, N

[Tom]

Thank you Neville for such a complimentary and fine appraisal of little poem !!

[Neville]

It's a big un in my book Tom...............N

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I LOVE ME SOME PUPPY LOVE! Found great pleasure form one animal lover to another!

[Tom]

Ah, you went right back to the beginning and one of my very own personal favourites and thank you for reviewing !

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I like to start at the beginning it gives me a fresh look towards the future:)

[Tom]

Logical indeed Captain !

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks for your submission. Comment will be reserved for the contest's end

[Tom]

You're welcome !

[icelandicblue]

I love dogs, I love my dog. Your poem gave me a warm and happy feeling while reading it.

[Tom]

Thank you ice'blue I love them too, I have six Shi-tzu at present ! ( when I last counted that is )?

[Yellow Butterfly]

What an awesome loyal friend is FRED

Loved this..... :O)

[Tom]

Thank you once more YB !

[Dye]

What a special piece with such sweet dedication. I sadly lost my dog to old age years ago but she was always there. Your poem is so thoughtfully written and really evokes that feeling of loyalty.

[Tom]

Well at least you give your faithful companion a great long innings Dye and thanks for the nice comments !

[London's Lily]

Oh, this is adorable! I love the way you write, particularly your word choices & the way you tell a story in such a fun way. It reminds me of old fashioned poetry, which I am crazy about! :)
Man's best friend indeed, hooray for Fred!

[Tom]

Than you again London's Lily, yes I do love to convey a bit of a story through a poem !

[Angel]

And I believe every word! When our human friends are too busy for us, our canine friends are always there, just waiting for the chance to spend time with us. Their devotion is truly awe-inspiring.
I really enjoyed this piece, Tom! An amazing trubute to man's best friend, the loyal dog.
Most of my very best mates have been of canine persuasion. My Disney girl, an Old English Sheepdog named "Raggedy Annie" helped me to raise my brood of seven. I will always love her, even though she is now herding cherubs in another plane, she is still very close to my heart.
My current puppy love is a little shih tzu, named in her memory. He is "Raggedy Andy"...variously known as "Ragdoll", "Ragmop", "Ragamuffin", or even "you Raggedy little piece of dog meat!"...but only when he's been very, very bad, which is very rare. You might like his little story "A Dog's Life" on my page.

LOL, sorry, that was shameless, wasn't it? I do love this piece of yours!

[Tom]

thanks Angel, seems we have more in common than enjoying poetry, I have always had a dog and like you a Shih-tzu, only thing...what started off as one has now developed into six ! And we love them all !!!

[Angel]

LOL...I can relate! My little guy is a very fertile father...there are currently four at my house, and we just gave two more away to a neighbor...who, of course, leaves them with us whenever she goes out.

[Tom]

I love your style !!!

[Annie S]

Well i'm a cricket fan and I obviously loved this piece. The way you presented the poem which tells
a clear story with the dog.The use of your vocabulary is great too especially for this type of poem.
The rhyming is spot on. I'm glad to say that you have written this beautifully
Keep writing :)

[Tom]

A most belated thank you for your relatable review!