“For Harley” (reprise)

On By Mike U.In Poetry

(originally posted on 10/27/2021)

“For Harley”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

I wonder if he ever knew his ears
Had failed him as he nosed the gravel road
Collecting scents of all that passed that way
As afternoon slipped into eventide
And xanthous-tinted rabbit brush held sway

Amid god-beams

Gilded god-beams

His pup days had long passed as elder gray
Frosted his chin and whiskers, and his gait
Had slowed as tired legs had stiffened up
And aching joints reduced him to a mere
Shadow of his bold beagle days of yore

When he was young

When we were young

His eyes—those burnished chestnut orbs that danced
And glimmered in the magic-hour rays
Of summer eves—belied his years and shone
With feisty fiery passion and the ken
Of canny canine stratagems and grim

Intensity

Vehemently

As for his tail, there wasn’t much to say
Other than it epitomized the joy
Of reckless youth, that whip-snapping white-tipped
Apostrophe above his bobbing haunch
Forever oscillating to and fro

It wagged a lot

His ears were shot

I’d stand behind him, holler out his name
And he, oblivious to all, would move
Nary a muscle nor would bat an eye
But go about his business in his world
Of silent summer farm days as the birds

Sang quietly

Spoke thoughtfully

A touch upon his back would do the trick
And he’d glance o’er at me and grin as if
To say, “Oh, there you are! Now where’s my treat?”
And having been trained well by him I’d reach
Into my pocket for a doggo snack

And he would beam

His eyes would gleam

But mostly I recall our evening walks
As day-haze settled, rabbit brush aglow
And Harley, nose to road, would pad along
Intent on scrying hidden critter trails
In search of that elusive siren song

That rabbit scent

And there he went

A brown and white torpedo like a blur
Of milk and cookies, ears jet-streamed behind
His head, and beagle-baying, “Here I go!”
And through the sage and cheat grass he would fly
His white-tipped tail zig-zagging through the maze

Of summer days

Our summer days

And I would stand and watch this ritual
This vital, sacred rite that kindled life
And filled souls overflowing as my friend
Chased rabbits in the fading of the day
Braying echoing ‘cross halcyon fields

Amid god-beams

Gilded god-beams

41 thoughts on ““For Harley” (reprise)”

    1. Thank you kindly, Jay. Our elder doggo friends are special companions, indeed. Harley’s been gone for about seven years now, but I think of him often, especially when my own deafness is really getting me down. His deafness never seemed to affect his mood or his habits–he was just Harley, Rabbit-Chaser Extraordinaire and Overall Wonder-Doggo, you know? I think he handled being deaf much better and with more grace than I do.

      I’ve noticed many times the dog in your avatar image. Dogs are wonderful, and I’m glad you’ve got the friendship of one of these amazing creatures. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, my friend. I’m glad to know you liked this poem about a wonderful dog I knew years ago. He was deaf–like me–and I admired how he seemed so happy even though he could no longer hear. He’s gone now, and I thought this poem would be a nice tribute to him. Thanks for stopping by and visiting, my friend. See you next time! 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much. Harley was a good dude–mild-mannered, affable and had a taste for the finer things in life (i.e. chasing rabbits). He seemed to handle his deafness with aplomb, something I wish I could do. I could learn a few things from his example, in that regard. 🙂

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      1. Well, he was a canine — for him, hearing wasn’t crucial, and he never needed music like we humans do. For humans and perhaps animals too, to lose a sense means that other senses may sharpen, but for us humans who once experienced that now-lost sense, some other increase is simply not enough. I think, thus, there’s no valid could or should as to how we handle loss. 🌷

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  4. Oh my goodness, this was utterly charming, Mike. The rhythm of your words, the stunning, crystal clear quality of your language – you weaved your lines together so deftly that all I saw was this dancing, tail-wagging gorgeous little pup with soul-searing brown eyes who then explored his way to old age – Your talk of the nature surrounding your ritual walks was a quiet and contemplative juxtaposition, and simply marvellous to read. I am glad to know this little creature was so loved, and memorialised eternally by your beautiful words. Thank you for blessing my day with this today.

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    1. Kindest thanks for such a wonderful comment. I’ve often wondered exactly how Harley comprehended his deafness. It was age-related, as far as I know, a slow process over a few years’ time. Did he even realize he had gone deaf? He didn’t appear as though he knew anything had changed. His nose still worked fine and his vision appeared to be good in his later years. If he noticed his deafness, he didn’t seem to let it bother him. As for me, I’m still fighting against my deafness, to no avail, of course, and I wish I could be more like Harley: just rolling with the flow, doing what he loved and not worrying about anything, always and forever completely in the moment. Because that’s where happiness and contentment are found. He was a good dog, that’s for sure, and his example is worth following.

      Thanks again for your comment and for your visit. I’m really happy to know this poem meant something to you. 🙂

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      1. His example is certainly worth following, and it’s something to hold on to isn’t it, even if you can’t fully emulate it yourself. You’re sharing something so precious and profound, though, and it’s bound to resonate with and help others. It certainly resonated with me on a very deep level. A sign, I think, to always live life without worrying too much about the things one can’t control. You’ve really captured a spirit here 🙂 Maybe he did know all along, or was aware, and still chose to live his life how he wanted to – that too is something marvellous.

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    1. Thanks so much, Michele. You know, I never realized it, but you’re right–the pacing of this piece is exactly like walking a dog, stopping here and there while our friend sniffs this and that, then excitedly hurrying on again. A very astute observation, my friend! It made me grin when I read it, and I was nodding in agreement. Thanks for your kind words as always. 🙂

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  7. Just gorgeous, Mike. This brought tears to my eyes as I remember my own beagle of childhood and all the dogs that have filled my life since. Oh, to live each moment like a dog, to find such wonder and joy in the adventure of life. Even skunk spray and porcupine quills can barely stifle the excitement. 🙂 Dogs have a lot to teach us. Beautiful poem, my friend.

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    1. Many thanks, Diana. You’re so right on all counts. Beagles are cool dogs. Harley was the second beagle I knew; we had a female beagle (I called her Pup Mup) who passed away a couple of years before Harley came along. She was such a sweetheart. And yes, farm dogs seem to be drawn to porcupines and skunks! As for Harley, I honestly don’t think he ever actually caught a rabbit (at least, I never saw him with one), but he sure enjoyed the chase. Like you said–to enjoy the moment like dogs do would be so incredibly satisfying. No worries at all, just the wind in our faces as we chase rabbits in the summer sun… 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Aaysid. I really appreciate your ever-present support and kindness, and I’m happy to know you liked this poem. Harley was a good friend. I imagine him chasing rabbits even now across green hills under blue skies… 🙂

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  12. What an enormously beautiful and visionary piece about your rabbit chasing doggie. Lisa Tomey is putting out an anthology, the pieces are due the end of next month. They are about pieces with cadence and pieces about what brings us joy. This would have been such an amazing piece. I could see Gizzy our dog that died a few years ago and now my anxiety service dog is sick. They love us unconditionally. I fully expect to talk to the two of them heading toward heaven. Also I can’t wait to talk to the trees. Blessing my friend and when we both get to heaven I can’t wait to listen to you share your stories. Love ya Joni

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    1. Kindest thanks, Joni. This was a fun piece to write, although there was sadness, too. I tend to believe that we humans don’t deserve the love dogs give to us. It’s so pure and unconditional. I’ve known so many wonderful dogs in my life, and I’d like to write a tribute poem for each of them. Don’t know if I’ll be able to do that, but each of them was so incredibly special to me. This piece came about, naturally, because Harley was deaf, so we had that unique connection I never had with any other dogs. He was a good doggo friend, indeed. I checked Lisa Tomey’s submission guidelines and it looks like this poem doesn’t meet them due to being too long and being previously published (she specifies “previously published” as including social media). I’d have loved to submit this one. Perhaps some other anthology somewhere will be a better fit. Please accept my condolences regarding Gizzy, and please accept my prayers regarding your current service dog. And I most definitely hope to see all my doggo buddies again someday in those sunny green fields… 🙂

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  13. Mikey, Mikey.. this is one of the most brilliant pieces I’ve ever read from you. And there are a lot of those, so maybe this is recency bias. But the style, and the emotional energy, the rhythm, the pace, even the language used.. they all conveyed this emotional intimate, wistful attachment to Harley. That you miss him is obvious.. that he was a dear companion and friend is a heavy sentiment.
    Fabulous writing my bro. Just fabulous. 🙏💙

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    1. Hey, Nigel. I’m truly humbled by your kind appraisal of this poem, my friend. It’s a relatively happy piece–something rare for me–and I enjoyed writing it. I mean, how can you write about dogs and not be happy, amirite? 😀 Harley was cool, and watching him chase rabbits on those summer evenings was delightful. I don’t think he ever actually caught a rabbit, and I don’t know what he’d have done if he had, but man, he loved the chase! Fun times, indeed. 🙂 Seriously, thank you so much for your thoughtful and warm comment. I appreciate your friendship, amigo. Means a lot to me. 🙂

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  14. Pingback: «For Harley» (reprise) – Gobblers & Masticadores

    1. Ah, good to see you found it! This poem was a joy to write. Harley was a wonderful friend and I miss him. Thank you for reading and for leaving such a kind comment. All the best to you and your family! 😊🐾

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