Today's Lunchtime Confection

The title of this journal entry refers to the fact that I wrote this poem today at lunch. Yes, I know I pushed my luck on both the rhyme and the meter in a few places. 

It's tough to get a good picture of Tuffy after sunset, with or without flash, but here are the two best attempts.  With flash, she's got those annoying greenish-white circles in her eyes, which can't really be filled in well.  Without flash, the picture comes out pretty dark.  Brightening the image only does so much, and results in wonky colors. 

Oh, and by the way, Tuffy is standing up in the poem. - Karen

The Mooch

Don't forget the dog! she begs,
With her anxious doggie eyes.
Her tail's almost behind her legs;
She'll flee from any loud surprise.

She knows exactly where she stands:
Next to her desired reward.
She gazes at my empty hands,
So close to the admired cupboard.

Her tail waves slowly side to side.
She smiles her anxious doggie smile.
I reach in, give her hopes a ride,
So she'll be happy for awhile.

"A while" is measured by the time
She's taking her small prize away,
Because she fears the doggie crime
Of theft should she just eat and stay.

She chews and swallows, and looks around
For any still-uneaten crumbs;
And when there are none to be found,
Then back to me my Tuffy comes.

More, please! my greedy doggie pleads.
Can't you see I'm starving here?
I sigh, and give her one more treat,
Because she is my doggie dear!

KFB, 10/24/05

I'm running on fumes tonight.  Last night I drove back to the office at 10 PM, and stayed so late that I surprised a night watchman. Then I blogged some more.  Am I insane? When I look at the clock and realize that four hours of sleep is no longer possible, that's beyond the pale, even for me!

Voting for the VIVI awards begins Tuesday morning, so instead of going to bed early I've started to make the rounds of the nominees in categories other than my own.  I've definitely seen some good journals with which I was previously unfamiliar, some of which I'll probably add to my alerts - later, when I'm feeling less overwhelmed.  So far, nothing has displaced one of my faves as the one I'll vote for, but it's early yet.  That may well happen, especially in categories in which I don't have a strong favorite. 

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and posted congratulations, especially those of you who have started reading Meet Joshua Wander.  That means a lot to me.  If I don't post congratulatory comments in every nominated blog myself, I hope you'll all forgive me.  I'm not ignoring you, truly!  I'm happy for us all.  It's just that I really, really need to avoid taking on any more obligations right now, even the "obligation" to comment.  But I will look at every nominated journal, and give it a fair read.

Karen

Click here for links to more of my fiction and poetry.