Kick the Dog Poetry

Perhaps this isn't a new thought, but it was new to me: Kick the Dog Poetry.

First and foremost: I DO NOT ENDORSE OR CONDONE ABUSE OF DOGS OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL.

Why "Kick the Dog" poetry? I had a very bad case of poison ivy a few weeks ago. I was absolutely miserable. Normally I love it when my 4 year old Shih Tsu mix follows me around the house. He's gotta be wherever I am - he's so darn cute! I'd never entertained an abusive thought towards him; that is, until that day when I thought I'd go mad from poison ivy's hold on me. I was in a world of hurt walking from one room to the next. He, Jabez, got under foot, and I had an incredible urge to kick the dog. I DIDN'T, and my conscience and love for my little guy almost instantaneously overrode that sinful urge. 

Kick the Dog Poetry is poetry written in response to anything and everything that causes anger, fear, or any other so-called negative emotion. Your cat clawed your new leather sofa? Write a poem about it. Someone cut you off in traffic? Write a poem about it. Feeling abused? Write a poem.

Here is my first Kick the Dog poem:

 

1. Low Expectations
   by Marie-Therese Knepper

   I’m not mad at you
   Really.
   I’m mad
   At you -
   The not knowing you
   The disappointment of
   You

   What did I expect
   Really?
   A god; a servant clown.
   You made me laugh
   So what?
   I liked myself
   When I laughed

   How much was your life worth -
   Really
   More than being
   Silly -
   You fool.
   That’s why I’m mad
   About you.

   I think I’m sad
   Really.
   Sad for the loss of
   Youth’s innocence -
   Hollywood productions -
   Glittering stars -
   A perfect world.

   Now here I am old.
   Really
   Old enough to know
   That wishing doesn’t
   Make it so.
   Silly little ant,
   Times have changed.