Philosopher Dog: I Found Myself Astray
In the middle of the journey of our life
I found myself astray in a dark wood
where the straight road had been lost sight of.– Dante, translated by Seamus Heaney
Was it in a tunnel in the North Woods that I found myself astray?
Where am I? Where am I going?
Sometimes I stop what I’m doing, and think.
Then I grow pensive among the asters.
I ruminate by ancient roots.
I reflect by still waters.
Does beauty change the meaning of a gate?
I believe nobility takes many forms.
I know beauty does. Sometimes it flames out, like ‘shining from shook foil.’
And sometimes there’s beauty in the gutter.
Or in an old tree stump.
But what is beauty?
Is there beauty in death?
I wonder, am I a dog dreaming he is a philosopher, or a philosopher dreaming he is a dog?
I can’t always tell reflection from reality.
It’s time to get moving again. But where to? I’ll choose a direction, and start walking.
I’ll go this way. Why not?
for RSH
Tags: a tribute to my dog, dog philosopher, Esau the dog, Gerard Manley Hopkin's god's grandeur, i love my dog, Out Walking the dog blog honors dog, thinking dog, what do dogs think about
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
November 25, 2012 at 7:25 pm
What a great photo essay! Great pictures paired with fantastic writing. Esau is one lucky dog.
September 18, 2012 at 7:37 am
[…] wondered if it were ill or injured, and Esau sat down to ponder that question or […]
November 13, 2011 at 10:36 am
Nice photo essay! I write a blog about nature in New York City too. You commented on it a while ago. I am just getting to the point of exchanging links with other blogs. Would you like to? Just let me know :). Best regards, Julie
November 13, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Delighted that you’ve visited, Julie. Your blog is terrific, and I’m happy to link to it.
November 11, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Very philosophical walk there
November 11, 2011 at 7:53 am
Simply beautiful – all of it – every photo, every line of prose/poetry. A keeper!
November 11, 2011 at 8:33 am
Thanks so much, Barbara.
November 10, 2011 at 7:31 pm
That post was just too cool. It made me think and I loved it.
November 11, 2011 at 8:31 am
Oh, thank you, Donna!
November 9, 2011 at 8:18 pm
A beauty photo essay. Very nice.
November 11, 2011 at 8:30 am
Glad you liked it, CGJ.
November 9, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Love Hopkins too! : )..
November 11, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Gorgeous stuff.
November 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm
That Esau is quite the dog! And so photogenic, too! Beautiful!
November 11, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Thanks, Laurel. Yes, what a dog!
November 9, 2011 at 11:46 am
Really love these meditative wanderings. Are you a dog dreaming you’re a human, or is that you inside your dog?
November 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Yikes, that’s too freaky a thought even for me.
November 9, 2011 at 10:45 am
This reflection of Esau’s touched my soul. My sweet poodle Ruby did too.
November 11, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Karol, that’s lovely to hear.
November 9, 2011 at 9:46 am
Great post—writing as well as photos!
November 9, 2011 at 10:08 am
Thank you, Vladimir. I much appreciate the visit.
November 9, 2011 at 9:41 am
“Dog” is Virgil spelled backwards.
November 9, 2011 at 10:07 am
Why, yes, how is it I didn’t see that?