Tuesday Poem: Ithaca Conversations—Argos
Argos
Lying nose to paws in the shadow of the arched gate,
eyes fixed on the white, twisting road to the sea,
listening for the familiar footstep, the beloved voice
that urged me on as we raced together, over
the rocky mountainside, both young, both strong
of heart – how my voice echoed in the craggy
heights, belling out for stag, or wild boar: all done,
all done with now as I twitch in half-dreams,
remembering, feeling that intoxicating rush again,
while the young men shout their curses – mangy cur,
flea-ridden beast, kicking me from the sunlit door,
throwing bones or stones when they see me lying,
patient in a patch of shade. Age has crept up on me,
dimming my eyes but never the hope that draws
me to the open gate, watching, always waiting –
but I do not know now, how much longer I can wait;
I fear that soon, for me, there will be no more time.
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(c) Helen Lowe 2007
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Argos forms part of my Ithaca Conversations sequence, which I discussed in more detail when I posted another poem from the sequence, The Wayfarer on June 15.
Argos was the favourite hound of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, who was absent from home for twenty years because of the Trojan war. When Odysseus finally returned home, disguised as a beggar, the old hound still knew him, even after so long – but died on the night of his return. As a child I always found the story particularly moving, so was not surprised when the voice of Argos emerged through the Ithaca Conversations sequence.
Although one fellow poet locally opined that “it seemed an odd subject to write a poem about”, Argos subsequently won Australia’s A2O poetry competition in 2007 and was published in the Writerlynks anthology Grow—which showcased poetry and fiction for young Australian readers—with the most wonderful accompanying illustration by Rowena Evans.
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I think it’s a very touching poem and I do not think a story about a dog is odd to write about.
Thank you. And re the subject—I don’t either, especially since it is one of the great stories that has endured for nearly 3000 years now.
I have a soft spot for Odysseus and Ithaca and I don’t think there is anything wrong with having the focus on Argos, in fact it gives on old story a fresh perspective!
Thanks, Helen–and I very much liked your poem today.
I love it… 🙂
Thank you, Mary. 🙂
Congratulations Helen, may you find more odd subjects to write poetry about. A touching piece. I only wonder if the dog knew what a scoundrel his master was?
It’s a quality I’ve noticed about dogs—that they tend to “suffer long” and yet remain faithful …
very well done. The fact that it is from the POV of the dog makes me feel more, if that makes sense .
Yes, sometimes the “limited” point of view can be the most powerful.
Just wanted to say a big Congratulaions to you Helen. Great work 🙂
Thank you, Emily.