Once A King

My dog was once king
of the elementary school bus stop
every morning.

He was a fair monarch,
granting belly rub privileges to all
the children before they started their school day.

But the corner has been empty
of adoring subjects. If they see him,
they wave from behind windows now.

And the once king of the bus stop
makes his rounds near an empty playground,
howling at the other exiled kings and queens
who also miss the noisy old days.

Kit, in his pre-pandemic stance.
 


Liner Notes for This Groove: This poem was created for the Weekly Scribblings prompt given at Poets and Storytellers United, Beloved Companions.

44 comments:

  1. Oh, how sad that even dogs are affected by the pandemic – not to mention the kids who used to enjoy him. But you can't even explain to Kit.

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    1. We've managed to figure out his love language is food and he is very clear about letting us know if he prefers relaxing on his downstairs dog bed instead of going for a walk. But nuances are lost on him.

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  2. This is incredibly touching .... long live the King.

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  3. I had as pets dogs growing up. As an adult though, i do not care for pets.

    Happy Wednesday

    Much💛love

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  4. I love that Kit was the king of the elementary school bus stop, Rommy! That’s what I remember from when we had Jasper, over thirteen years ago; everyone stopped to greet him by name and give him a pat or a stroke. Dogs do miss that.

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    1. He got very used to all the attention. But slowly as more people get vaccinated, he's finding his fans.

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  5. We're all in that same boat these days, it seems. Sadly.
    Better days ahead, we ALL hope.

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    1. My husband has all his shots and the kids and I have scheduled ours, so here's hoping.

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  6. Poor guy has no way to know. Sweet dog.

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  7. Yes dogs are very social creatures especially with kids. They must wonder what on earth has been going on.

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    1. The poor thing has been very confused. But hopefully he'll be happily confused as things start turning around here.

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  8. Awwww!!! Give Kit a hug from me! He will be King again! Big Hugs!

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  9. Aww what a gorgeous sweet poem I hope your dog is able to remember the good days of bellyrubs

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    1. He gets plenty at home. But also, now that my husband is fully vaccinated and he has a new fan in an older lady on our block (also fully vaccinated) he's getting some of that love back.

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  10. Love to you, Kit! My toy poodle Mozart used to wait for me by the university gate; my favorite part of those lecture evenings. He would wag his tail and kiss all the undergrads coming out after dismissal, especially the ladies, haha! Mozart crossed the rainbow bridge 3 years before the pandemic. I like to think he and Kit would have made great friends.

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  11. Very poignant Rommy... You hot the nail so beautifully on the head here, regarding the situation we all find ourselves in.

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    1. I'm hoping for a good-ish summer and a decent fall, but time will tell.

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  12. Ah, I miss those days too! Where have all the children gone. Love this image it his reign.

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  13. The pandemic affects all. i hope Kit will enjoy having his belly rubs soon. :)

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    1. We're keeping our fingers crossed for him...and all of us.

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  14. I understand this sadness much too well. Like Kit, and his adoring subjects, there is so much I miss. This pandemic has done a real number on us, hasn't it? No Comic Con, no BookCon, no random exchange of grins and cackles with strangers in old bookstores...

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    1. I really miss Book Con! Here's hoping for one next year.

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  15. I know how faithful dogs love the kids and know when the bus comes. Dogs can tell time, I'm sure.

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    1. LOL, oh he absolutely knows how to tell time. And he is staunchly against daylight savings. :D

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  16. This pandemic must have been a huge change for the pets as well, who probably can feel something is wrong but do not know exactly what. Hope this time passes us by and we can have those noisy days again.

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  17. Let's hope soon the corner will be filled with activity once again!!

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  18. Happy Sunday Rommy

    Much💛love

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  19. Yes, I wonder if pets have found all this very confusing.

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