On my way to a friend’s house,
at a stoplight in historic Clifton’s Gaslight District near University of Cincinnati, I see what I believe is the statue of an English bulldog on a flat porch roof of a vintage Victorian two-story. When the dog moves, I realize he’s tethered to a chain leash fully extended to the front edge of the roof. He’s a brindle and white—compact, brawny. Looks as if he could snap himself loose in a second if he wanted, but he appears content to be outside on this sunny, windy day, standing at attention, enjoying his lofty vantage point.
Does the bulldog wonder
what it would feel like to leap,
land in that green, green grass?
23 thoughts on "On my way to a friend’s house,"
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I like how you ask the question rhetorically because yesterday I looked with envy at a pair of dogs running on the fields at the Horse Park and frolicking with each other
Thank you! I hear you.
Looking down on the world can be a very powerful feeling! Love this!
I often ask what do dogs think? Since I have two active ones I ask a lot! I love this.
Thank you, Linda.
Thank you, Sylvia.
You set the scene so well. The wonder at the end is palpable. Such a great write!
Thank you so much, H.A.
Perfect use of the haibun form as travelogue. You see something, you say something…
Yes! Thank you, Kevin.
The form works well here, Karen, and I love the question.
Thank you, Nancy.
Nice visual haibun questioning what the bulldog thinks from above. I often wonder what my dog thinks!
Thank you, Linda.
You’ve captured the majesty of the bulldog here and end with an important, thought-provoking question. Well done!
Thank you, Eric.
Taking what you saw and turning it into a metaphor. Well done.
(Funny story: in grad school — the first time — in the mid 1970s, one of the 2nd floor bedroom windows opened onto the front porch roof. I heard my roommate, Barbara shrieking my Malamute’s name, and I ran to see what the problem was. Barbara had opened the window, and Chinook decided it was a nice day to sit outside. We safely got her back indoors.)
Thank you.
You are a master of haibuns, Karen! Love the way the prose part is a description & then the way the haiku asks a question.
How you put me in the scene, Karen! You make every word count in this cinematic poem
I love this poem. And felt a little happy and afraid for the pup. I agree that it’s a wonderful haibun.
You capture this scene beautifully: “statue of an English bulldog on a flat porch roof of a vintage Victorian two-story. “Can see: “He’s a brindle and white—compact, brawny.”, and feel the tension in the chain: “he’s tethered to a chain leash fully extended to the front edge of the roof.”
Yes, happy and afraid for the pup. I feel like you achieve that fine balance.