Thoughts, Oughts, Naughts: Poems from the Heart of a Very Special Dog
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INTRODUCTION A NEW RIVER I have a river In my life once again, A river which runs Faster than the wind On a blustery day, Dashing without care And wearing a coat Of soft white hair. I am referring To my Bichon Fris_, Whose name is River, But pronounced, Ri-vay. At the time she became a part of our family I had just started writing a book, The Rivers Flow, The Kanawha and Ohio Valleys, 1930-1960. This book covers what it was like to grow up in that time and area as experienced by myself and others. I wanted to give her a name relevant to my book. Kanawha, Nawha, Valley, or Mountains didn’t sound right, so I created Riv_r (Ri-vay_. I soon eliminated writing the “r” at the end of the word but continued with the same pronunciation. The idea for Riv_ to write poetry came from Rita Mae Brown’s cat, Sneaky Pie, helping her to write her mystery books. After all, if a cat can help write a mystery book then a dog can write poetry and create a book. Welcome to Riv_’s world. I CAN TOO WRITE Some of you are skeptics; Don't deny it cause I know, I see your faces, I hear you laugh and so I'll tell you how I'm clever enough to write; First I compose in my head Next I gently,firmly bite Mom's clothes to pull Her to the chair by the keys. I get on her lap to begin Licking her fingers with ease. I lick them in order, Nudging each one down; Which is how I've become A poet of renown! A Good Cause These verses have been written for a very good cause, that very good cause is, of course, me. But not just for me but for my brethern and sistern so you will know all in our hearts because I can write well since I have the genes and my mom to type as she listens to me. So, take heed, read well and understand what we four-leggers think, know and see. Authors Note If the plural of brother is brothers or brethern it surely follows that the plural of sister is sisters of sistern. the wind and I I like the wind to hit my face And carry to me, if only a trace, Every scent in the air, While the wind combs my hair.
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About the Book
When you buy this book, a percentage will go to the Indianapolis Humane Society.
"In an imaginative twist on the account of someone's feelings about his beloved dog, this talented Bichon Frise describes in verse her feelings about her beloved person." Elizabeth Sherrill, author, roving editor Guideposts
When a granddaughter was 14 she asked Patricia, "Grandma, do you believe that Rivé writes those poems? Now tell me the truth, do you really believe she does?" After you read the book you can decide.
Both Rivé and Patricia are published authors. A story about Rive, including a picture and one of her poems appeared in the August 10-23 issue of the Broad Ripple Gazette. Patricia has had poetry, meditations, and non-fiction stories published in alive now!, Pockets Magazine, The Upper Room, and Guideposts.
About the Author
Patricia Walworth Wood was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. She has lived in Indianapolis since 1957. Patricia and her husband of fifty years, John, have a daughter, Margaret in Minnesota, and son, Chris, who lives in southern Indiana with his wife and six children.
Patricia and John hosted Yous Khieu, a Cambodian refugee who now lives with his wife and three children in Massachusetts. They play the role of mother/grandmother for them. They act in the same roll for Ria Kawashima Nieboer, who lived with them prior to entering college. She, her son, and husband live in Michigan. In addition the Wood's have hosted more than a dozen people from other countries for varying lengths of time.