“Psalm for my Dog” by Ann Farley

May 21, 2024

“Psalm for my Dog” by Ann Farley

Afterward: “Psalm for my Dog” by Sher Schwartz

Psalm for My Dog

The Love is my shepherd; I shall go walk.
	She makes me play ball in green pastures;
she leads me beside still puddles;
	She restores my soul.
She leads me on long paths
	for squirrel chasing sake.

Even though I walk through the dark of morning,
	I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
	your bark and big teeth,
	they comfort me.

You raise your ruff before me
	in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my hand with kisses;
	my heart overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
	with you by my side,
and I shall dwell in the house of the dog
	your whole life long.



Ann Farley
October 21, 2022

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Afterward, Sher’s Voice

Ann Farley, dogs, Psalm 23

Posted by:

Sher Schwartz

http://sherpoetry.wordpress.com/

5 responses to ““Psalm for my Dog” by Ann Farley”

Anonymous

May 21, 2024 at 6:34 am

And may I dwell in the presence of dogs for all eternity. Amen.

Clever poem.

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tlapera5411

May 21, 2024 at 1:41 pm

I have shared my life with many dogs over the years, and I reacted to the closing in the same way as you – as a reminder that we are with them for their whole life but not the other way around. I also have thought a lot about my youngest and most recent dog, Della – one of only two I have ever raised from a pup. I’m keenly aware that my age – 61 – means she may be the last “baby” I ever adopt – because it pains me to think of her outliving me possibly, and not knowing what would happen to her. This is a lovely poem, thank you for sharing it.

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1. Sher Schwartz
  
  May 21, 2024 at 3:15 pm
  
  Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments. They have made me consider how I feel about this as I have been thinking of another pup who would replace Skookum, the wire-haired pointing griffon I lost a few years back. My thoughts are more along lines– do I have one more big dog in me, or do I need to move to a smaller dog (for the first time in my adult life). But, if I pass and I don’t have a solid plan for who would take care of the next dog … that does feel uncomfortable. I’m 61 also, and I have had a dog since I was five years old. This is really tough to say goodbye to having a dog share my life with– I am not there yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
  
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officialanneclark

May 21, 2024 at 1:42 pm

This is wonderful 🙏

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Anne

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1. Sher Schwartz
  
  May 21, 2024 at 3:16 pm
  
  So glad to get feedback you have enjoyed this poem!
  
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About Me

“I’m a retired Humanities professor, published essayist, poet, painter, singer, and old-time fiddle musician living on an historic two-hundred-acre farm in Eastern Oregon. I plant gardens for pollinators and revel in insects, bird dogs, donkeys, goats, cats, and American fantail and roller pigeons. My lyric landscapes are oak savannah, prairie, and riparian. Writing poetry gives me a way to express and question the rhythms I hear. My chapbook The Beautiful One’s Ark (2024) is available through The Poetry Box and online bookstores. Sher Poetry celebrates poetry as an oral language art. Each week I’ll share a poem from some of my work or from that of other poets who I love to hear.