Here’s Suzanne Burke’s “Fiction in a Flash” Challenge Week #16 Image Prompt. I was torn between this free verse poem and a tanka poem. This one narrowly won out today, but I have a feeling my tanka will make an appearance around Halloween.
CALL OF THE WILD
I hear him call me
One howl in the distance
It rolls over the frozen snow.
My reply is muted behind a barrier
I try to jump…
I try to dig…
I try to scratch…
Through the wooden prison planks.
I’m offered meals…
A small house…
A manicured lawn.
I’m cared for, yet unhappy.
My blood runs through the forest
A place where I can roam freely.
Then a bright light washes over me
The portal to heat and treats opens
I stop to mark my territory.
Holding my tail high…
I pad across the alpine tundra
And lay by the crackling fire.
Listening for the call of the wild
I drift to sleep with my favorite chew toy.
Tomorrow I will answer that call—tomorrow.
Brilliant take on the prompt, Denise. I love this poem. Bravo 🙂
Thank you Harmony 🙂 This was a fun prompt!
I see that in dogs. Their soul is still wild. Lovely, Denise.
i think that’s what they dream about 🙂
Loved the poem, Denise. Great use of the prompt.
Thanks. John, it was a fun one:)
It looked that way for sure.
I love this contribution, Denise! ❤ Thanks so much for taking part again. I have just shared it on the Challenge site.
Thanks Soooz:) I had many ideas for this picture! I’m a fan of wolves.
I think they’re amazing creatures, Denise. I’ve been fascinated by some of the legends surrounding their species.
I love this poem, Denise. There is a bit of the wild in every dog, but I agree with the dog in this poem – I’d opt for the warm fire, meals and chew toy! Great job!
Thanks, Jan 🙂 Yes that wild comes out at times, but the comfort of a bed, treats and their human pack seems to over ride it. Xo
Very nice play on wolf vs domestic pet 🤗
Thank you. Jessica 🙂
This made me smile, Denise. What a fun transition from the wild wolf to contented dog. Beautifully done.
Thank you, Diana:) Sometimes I see the wildness in our sweet dog when she goes outside.
🙂
Aww, I’m enchanted, Denise. In many ways your poem reminded me of the spirit in Jack London’s works—some of my earliest favorite books!
Thank you Mae! That’s a huge compliment and I loved his work too. I’ve been wanting to reread The Call of the Wild:)
This poem reminds me of our collie, Saber. We think she was crossed with a coyote because of her course fur around the neck and her ability to escape. We had a fenced yard, but she always managed to get out (even when leashed!). She’d go on a tour and come back a while later, panting and grinning- quite proud of herself, lol
I loved the poem. I would prefer the freedom that the wolf has, but it might be hard to resist the treats, warm bed, fireplace, etc. as a domestic dog. Great job, Denise
Thanks, Karen. I’m a fan of wolves and their freedom and beauty, but yes, it is hard to resist the comforts of a good home, too.
Read this on Soooz’s blog. Loved it!
Thank you, Joan 🙂
This is a great poem, Denise. I can see this wolf.
Thanks, Robbie. I’m a huge fan of wolves:)
Beautiful poem, Denise! Loved it. <3
Thank you Vashti:) Hope your week is going well xo