Often my doggies lie
at the front door
and stare longingly
at the world
through the windowpane.
They can see clearly
freedom,
sunshine,
wide open spaces
outside.
It seems to be
right within reach,
yet something impenetrable
is in their way,
the nature of which
they cannot comprehend.
The mechanics of door opening
is a deep mystery to them
and they display great ingenuity
in trying to solve this dilemma.
Sometimes they jump
up and down,
yapping and wagging their tails,
as if impatience will
make the door open quicker.
At times they resort
to aggressive tactics,
clawing at the handle or
digging under the sill
to force their way out.
Occasionally,
they will lie patiently,
having great faith
that the door is destined
to swing open
sooner or later.
Now and then they act
as if there is no door
having convinced themselves
they are outside already.
Once in a while,
they shrink back in fear
when the door is unlocked,
so used have they become
to being inside.
Aren't we all like them in a way?
Our noses too are pressed
against the closed door
of illusion and ignorance.
Beyond it we can clearly discern
freedom,
joy,
beauty.
Yet some inexplicable force
keeps the access blocked,
compelling us to employ
ingenious ways
as we strive to reach
the other side,
where ideal life lies.
Some jump
impatiently
up and down
as if this would make
happiness appear faster.
Others resort to aggressive tactics,
trying to force their way
out of their misery
and ensnare contentment
in their grasp.
A few wait tranquilly
for joy to come to them,
confident in their belief
that virtuous behaviour
will be rewarded with bliss;
if not in this life then the next.
Some delude themselves
as well as others
into believing they have
reached fulfilment already,
regardless how they feel inside.
Many shrink back in fear
when contentment appears
to be within easy reach,
so comfortable have they become
with being
miserable and disenchanted.
Not a few rush about,
preoccupied with mundane
details of existence,
trying to silence
the nagging question
of whether they are happy
with their lives.
Most, however,
have lost all hope of seeing
the portal swing open
and can only gaze
wistfully
at the richness of life
through the windowpane
of their mind.
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Comments: 15
((( So very real. What relates in my mind to this..are the nursing homes...the blank stares...hoping waiting for a loved one to come and rescue them...I enjoyed reading this. Inspiration...your way always! )))
What an exquisite way in which to relate that ever present human dillema of self~sabotage~
I have known some who have painted that pane of glass a impenetrable color~because it hurts to see the possibilities of forward momentum they will never dare reach for~
I love the analogy!! It is so true!
I like sleeping, for THAT is My window into another world full of mystery...
I can very well relate to this, as the world within my dreams - is one of sheer beauty and to me reality ....
Nice expansion on the original. I believe you have hit on the perfect analogy here.
I just listened to the actress rendition. I would like to hear you read it. What time must I tune in for Calif pacific time?
I'm featuring this on Poet's Weekly muse. Congrats on this increasing exposure to your fine work!
thank you for listening to the recording Jan. My reading of it will be this Thursday morning 2am your time.
This is the link to the radio station:
http://www.southernfm.com.au/
And thank you for the feature as well, much appreciated!
Title: // A DOG'S TALE ( SEEN THROUGH THE WINDOWPAIN ) //
Hey Boris! I can reason a poet's perogative for the first spelling (TALE) but I am hard-pressed to grok the second (PAIN).
Nevertheless, Bucky and I thoroughly enjoyed this poem, though certain elements, he confided later, hit a little too close to home for my intrepid Avian Adventurer.
Wait, I guess I've answered my own question! Pain it is. (Duh.)
thanks for reading and commenting Ken! I think, given the nature of the poem,"pain" substituting for "pane" is apt.
After listening to you read this - i had to come a read it .... then i opened both windows to hear it being read while following along ... This may in fact be a part of your answer to the question in "Waking Up to Life" .... or maybe this sparked the "Lady" to ask the question.
This is a very well written exsample of how people live life - i wonder now .... have i convinced myself i am already outside? You pretty much have discribed every point of view on this .... my question is, where are you compared to the window pane?
It is a metaphor of unfulfilled dreams, frustration of effort, and lament of the human condition. A layer below the text and metaphor that challenges the American Dream and the Dreamer to live today, live now and embrace what is in the present, but still dream.
Well done, Boris.
David