The Shine Journal

 A DOG'S TALE ( SEEN THROUGH THE WINDOWPANE )

by

Boris Glickman

Often my dogs lie
at the front door
and stare longingly
at the world
through the windowpane.

They can see clearly
freedom,
sunshine,
wide open spaces
outside.

It seems to be
right within reach,
yet something impenetrable
is in their way,
the nature of which
they cannot comprehend.

The mechanics of door opening
is a deep mystery to them
and they display great ingenuity
in trying to solve this dilemma.

Sometimes they jump
up and down,
yapping and wagging their tails,
as if impatience will
make the door open quicker.

At times they resort
to aggressive tactics,
clawing at the handle or
digging under the sill
to force their way out.

Occasionally,
they will lie patiently,
having great faith
that the door is destined
to swing open
sooner or later.

Now and then they act
as if there is no door
having convinced themselves
they are outside already.

Once in a while,
they shrink back in fear
when the door is unlocked,
so used have they become
to being inside.

Aren't we all like them in a way?

Our noses too are pressed
against the closed door
of illusion and ignorance.

Beyond it we can clearly discern
freedom,
joy,
beauty.

Yet some inexplicable force
keeps the access blocked,
and we can only gaze
wistfully
at the richness of life
through the windowpane
of our mind.

Motivation: The motivation for this work came, as stated in the first stanza of the poem, from watching my dogs lying at the door, waiting impatiently to go outside. And then I saw the parallel to the human condition.