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The Dog Itself


by Darryl Price


It has to be said. A horse is just another 
situation that can very 
quickly get out of hand, if you don't know 
what you are doing. A bell is always 

ringing, like your head nestled down inside 
your hands. The world doesn't seem much like a 
very friendly place to me. Are there truly 
any friendly ghosts left out there? Search 

everyone's eyes. Adopting a dolphin 
now won't save innocent pups from slaughter, 
but perhaps it adds a willing voice to 
all the broken wings crying in piles all 

over the floor. Silence is okay for 
privileged meditations I guess, but who 
are we to condemn any living thing 
to the dull itinerary of human 

folly? Go in style. So they tell me. 
A horse is just a feeling that you used 
to feel. It can't go on forever. The 
whole world is a wind advisory. Staring 

at the stars doesn't change things on a 
stranger's face on this lonely planet's streets. 
Jesus is always coming by candlelight. 
Why don't you use your magic for something 

besides creating more sorrow? Do you 
really believe there's nothing we can do?
A horse is just an excuse to stay out 
late again for some. A bell is a shining 

light, a holy place chiming there is 
more we can become if we try harder.
The world wants to see us tear our love apart. 
That's always been its sole objective. 

By their commodities shall you know them.
They're all love haters posing as real estate 
agents to the angels. A horse
is not a rider. It is a controlled 

substance. The bells are wanting to take you 
in hand. To show you something you are missing.
The world wants me to eat and swallow 
this poem before you read it and grin.

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