That's What Friends are For

There was one time
I’ll tell you son
I opened a gate
And found no fun

Shopping on Craigslist
Is sometimes quite bright
Other times
It can bring on a fright

Jay needed a car
One with much muscle
That shouldn’t have been tough
I’d no idea I would tussle

We headed for Lynnwood
A Dodge Challenger to see
It wasn’t too pricey
Yet far from free

The house looked deserted
A meth lab by look
I saw the car Jay wanted
Parked off in a nook

So I opened the gate
And to the door went
I knocked on the door
Avoiding the dent

While still on the landing
A movement I spied
A black and red dog
I  had just eyed

A Doberman Pinscher
Can be quite frightening
Jay thought the same
And departed like lightning

It was a male
So I wasn’t too worried
I laughed at Jay
For the way that he scurried

The dog came to me
A-wagging his stub
He was so friendly
Him, I couldn’t snub

On the door I did knock
Once more for good measure
Jay’s cowardess, at
I chuckled with pleasure

Then once again
That movement I spied
A red and black dog
I almost cried

This one was different
It wasn’t a he
The mate of the other
A new mother, she

I knew from close looking
Through preceding years
Of vicious dog mommies
It had rekindled old fears

I held myself frozen
Doing math in my head
I was betting on if
Would I escape if I fled

My normal tactic
Would most likely have been
To tell Jay to run
Knowing she’d seek his skin

Unfortunately then
My plans had been foiled
Jay had run early
His undies unsoiled

The long moment of tension
It finally broke
She charged right at me
Though I did not provoke

Her teeth came in low
But I bolted high
I sprinted for fence
And prayed to the sky

Twenty yards left to go
To the gate open wide
Then Jay did close it
I almost cried

He saw me coming
But the dog he saw too
So he closed the gate
That’s what he did do

The fence was a low one
Three feet, maybe four
I hoped I could hurdle
I hurdled before

I focused on goal
I accelerated
I didn’t know
To what I was fated

My pacing was right
my timing was perfect
My speed was good
On my pace, I checked

The dog close behind
Fangs snapped at my heel
Just as I leaped
Her teeth I did feel

The flesh of my calf
punctured with pops
I grimaced in flight
My flesh locked in her chops

My mass it did pass
Over the fence of chain link
The teeth of that dog left
Scars of bright pink

As I dropped top the sidewalk
The dog left behind
My life it was spared
I thanked God, so kind

A lesson I learned
About dogs and my friend
When a bitch does attack
Jay’s help he won’t lend


Ken Goree


Sorry Jay, but this is how I remember it.  And I think I have it pretty close to the actual event.  I do have to admit, as we sped away from the neighborhood, suddenly noticing that the car wasn’t as cool as we first thought, we did laugh about the whole situation.  I wasn’t laughing quite as hard, though.  I was busy trying to stop the bleeding. 

Final

A feeling
Self-awareness lost
Or is it
Something else?
When praise
Spills forth
For a work
I would not do
Nor ask of another
A work that
Would be done
Were I to seek it
Or
condemn it
Were I omnipotent
I would
Have had it
All another
Way
I praise the
Warriors for
A work that
Was required
But feel
Sadness
For that
Tragic
Final
Necessity


Ken Goree


This poem comes in the wake of the Osama Bin Laden’s death.  I feel torn that I am glad that it has finally happened, that I should be happy for a death.  I pray for the day that humanity loses the need to make war, and perpetuate hatred.  I pray that it is not a genetic need which cannot be overcome.

 I’m thankful daily that there are people, close friends some, who serve as our country’s protection with noble intent and limitless bravery.

Never Aging

Once you were a twelve year old
One long gone sixth-grade year
And now you’re turning twenty –one
I see you greet it with great cheer

But always do remember
When in memory I delve
You’re still a sweet young kid to me
Forever you’ll be twelve

So when you post on Facebook
Or networks that there are
Pre-warn your teachers of your youth
Or our memories you’ll scar


Ken Goree


This is for a wonderful former student, who is very excited to be turning twenty-one.  I hope she takes it with the light-heartedness in which it is intended, and doesn’t curb her enthusiasm for life.  But still, I’ll always think of her as a sweet twelve-year-old girl.

Change

Bright, piercing sunlight

Gives way to blustery chill
And falling raindrops

Ken Goree


After yesterday's beautiful 75 degree weather, it is hard to go back to the 50s.  

Friends

When in the company of friends
It doesn’t really matter
The miles or the time between
Friendship’s cloth won’t tatter


Ken Goree