Friday 26 April 2013

Park Day: a poem celebrating Duthie Park

I couldn't quite decide what to do to for Finn and Gizmo's Blogville 'Park Day'

You see, for me, every day is Park Day! So to celebrate my daily walk round the local park, Gail suggested that I compose a poem. 

Here goes (with some help from Gail):


Snapshots of Duthie Park

Winter mornings. Dark, sharp, cold,
Dogs are sporting flashy disco lights,
Their ghostly owners wrapped in Marks and Spencers' shrouds,
The wind that's crossed the river gathers bite.

A weekend afternoon in Spring,
Much optimistic pallid flesh exposed,
Goose pimples notwithstanding, those from Aberdeen
Think, if the sun is out, they need few clothes.

Light evenings, masochists enrolled 
In British Military Fitness race
Around in circles, yelled at by
Instructors thick of neck and red of face.

Summer Sundays: barbecues, picnics,
Ice-cream cones lightly held by dog-height hands,
Those kids with flappy arms and high pitched shrieks,
Will tempt a chap to disobey commands.

And by the pond exquisite model boats,
Are all controlled by older men, sad,
One suspects, because their sons 
Prefer to lurk indoors, tending their (i)Pads.

A coach from Elgin parked beside the gate.
A line of grey-topped green enthusiasts
Make for the Winter Gardens' warmth, 
But pause en route to give cute pups a pat.

The cricket pitch brings out a different crowd.
Brown skins exotic still, in Scotland's chilly north.
When game's in progress I am not allowed
To dash across the grass and chase the ball.

But mostly we are lucky in our Park
Few rules constrain us pups, we're free to run
No lead required, we socialise,
Explore and play, and have enormous fun.



27 comments:

  1. That was a beautiful poem Bertie. You are not only handsome but a great poet. I see that you do enjoy your park time. Maybe I will have to come and see you and we can run and play together!!

    wags
    Addi

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  2. Your light there is so beautiful, Bertie. As was your poem; even if Gail did help.

    Bart

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  3. Such wonderful photos of you in the park. How long did it take you to write your poem Bertie? We think you will have to give us some lessons as we are quite hopeless.
    Have a good weekend.

    Molly, Taffy, Monty and Winnie

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  4. What a beautiful poem Bertie and we love all your park pix. Happy Park Day to you and have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. Bravo, bravo, Bertie. A Park for all Seasons. You are quite the Wordsmith. Well done! We can picture all the people and pups who use the park.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  6. Hari OM
    Bertie!!! Man that was poignant... have got the piccie of the lonely dad and the radio-boat stuck in my head now. Thank goodness there were lots of pix of you to help me get over it. I LOOOVEE that one of you among the crocuses and by the gateposts...oh they're all brill! Today is my birthday so this was a real treat to see a wee bit o' Scotland today.

    Have a great weekend. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty.xx

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  7. great poem and lovely pics, i particularly like the one of the older gents fishing

    urban hounds

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  8. Oh wow Bertie! Great poem and great visit to your park. What a pretty place! Thanks for taking part!

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  9. Bertie - you're such a cultured (and very clean) pup! Lovely looking park.

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  10. A beeYOUtiful poem to commemorate a beeYOUtiful park! You're so lucky you get to walk there all the time!

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  11. It's amazing how different everything looks in the seasons. Beautiful place Bertie
    Benny & Lily

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  12. Your Poem is super!! OMD the Park is GORGEOUS. Love the PEE POST and your Play Pal.

    THANKS fur allowing us join you in YOUR Park.

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  13. Sums up the park perfectly Bertie, and I did like and agree with the bit about Aberdonians wearing less clothes. It's just weird, if there is a speck of blue in the sky, they think its a hot as the Sahara desert and out they pop in their shorts and vest top (unintended rhyming!) Your pictures of the park are lovely, it looks like you have a great time there!
    I only go to Duthie park every now and then, it's quite far away from around my place!
    Bye bye
    Pippa :)

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  14. Thank you for coming to Park Day Bertie...It's great to meet you! first off I must tell you how much I loved your poem...I really felt the spirit of your park throughout the seasons come through in your words...And your park! It's so wonderful that you can wander freely, explore, make friends and be a dog...Wish we had more parks like that here...thanks so much for sharing with me today

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  15. Wow, what a grand poem! Three cheers and bravo. I can see all of that happening based on the wording. Love that double-lion statue and the pix with all of the blooming crocus. I wish I could be there too!
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, park ranger

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  16. Howdy Bertie. What a wonderful poem. For some reason it made mum happy and a little sad at the same time. We don't know why. Our mum is a little coo coo in the head at times! Loved the photos of your park. Wish we could go there with you. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  17. Bertie - What a grrrrrrrrrrrreat park and poem. So glad I stopped by.
    Wags,
    Ranger

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  18. Congrats, Bertie and Gail, on a wonderful poem about Duthie Park and beautiful photos to illustrate it!

    Cheers and hugs,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  19. Blue sky at Duthie Park, that's surely worth a bark !

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  20. OMDs Bertie! I am completely and totally smitten by your poetry....are you spoken for and do you like older ladies? MOL
    LOVELY VERSE AND PICTURES! I know I have told you but I really like your curly tail
    Hugs
    Madi your BFFF

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  21. Now, that's a beautiful poem! Your Park is so beautiful and there is sooooo much to do there too.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  22. You are multi-talented, Bertie! And what a fine park.

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  23. Excellent mate. Did you actually eat that Yorkshire Terrier? Deccy x

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  24. A beautiful park and a wonderful poem. The poem gave me a lovely feel for the park.

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  25. Congratulations Bertie! You've won a prize at Park Day! Momz couldn't find your email so please email her your shipping info: jgandb (at)gmail(dot)com
    and we'll get your prize shipped right out!

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  26. Hey ya Bertie! Congrats - we pulled your name for a prize for Park Day! I see Gizmo told you too!! Send her your shipping info so we can send you a prize!

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