“Procyon Prowling”, a poem by Altivo Overo (read by Crimson Ruari)

Speaker: 00:00:01

You’re listening to The Voice of Dog.

Speaker: 00:00:04

Today’s poem is by Altivo

Speaker: 00:00:06

Overo, which uses the alliterative poetic structure of early Anglo-Saxon bards,

Speaker: 00:00:11

and is read for you

Speaker: 00:00:12

by Crimson Ruari,

Speaker: 00:00:13

the mountain smith. Please enjoy “Procyon Prowling”, a poem by Altivo Overo

Speaker: 00:00:25

In silence she slinks through the silver-dewed garden,

Speaker: 00:00:28

Wandering walkways,

Speaker: 00:00:30

wishing for sustenance.

Speaker: 00:00:31

Her three ring-tailed children thirst in the home den

Speaker: 00:00:35

For this matron of many,

Speaker: 00:00:37

a milk-bearing clan queen.

Speaker: 00:00:41

Soon will she show them, in single file leading, Walking through woodland to where there is food

Speaker: 00:00:47

And water for washing as will be required

Speaker: 00:00:50

To live on their own in lonely repose.

Speaker: 00:00:55

But now has she need of nourishing foodstuff Herself, before comes here the herald of dawn.

Speaker: 00:01:02

Black eyes like buttons, buried in face mask,

Speaker: 00:01:05

Search not so well for her sight is too poor.

Speaker: 00:01:09

All growing around her too green are the berries,

Speaker: 00:01:12

The sweet roots not ripened nor succulent yet.

Speaker: 00:01:16

Thus takes she her tread to the tall-hanging feeder

Speaker: 00:01:19

For birds it’s intended but better than none.

Speaker: 00:01:23

Alas! Though long-reaching and laboring efforts She makes, it gains nothing.

Speaker: 00:01:28

A mumble, a hiss,

Speaker: 00:01:29

And she turns to the trash cans,

Speaker: 00:01:31

a top that is loose.

Speaker: 00:01:35

She knows it so well as she nears it again.

Speaker: 00:01:38

Brief clatter. She’s in.

Speaker: 00:01:40

A complaint from a dog Afar wills it otherwise but wonder, none comes To break up her feasting in bones and waste matter

Speaker: 00:01:48

Abandoned and left to best care for her now.

Speaker: 00:01:52

The brood that is waiting will be cared for also No dearth of dark faces to delve in the night.

Speaker: 00:02:01

This was “Procyon Prowling”

Speaker: 00:02:03

by Altivo Overo, read for you by Crimson Ruari,

Speaker: 00:02:06

the mountain smith.

Speaker: 00:02:08

Thank you for listening to The Voice of Dog.