I Spilled My Corn Flakes: Poem

This is poetry?

I just got news that my friend's dog Lucky is dying. He's 11, which is 84 in dog years. I'm an animal lover as well. It always saddens me to hear about the loss of an animal! Thanks for sharing your memories!

Heartbreaking poem__and great images! I love animals, and feel so sad when the metal monsters we call cars and heedless drivers hurt them.

You've managed to put the story into a poem which is so touching. On a subject many of us will relate to as we gather echoing memories from our childhood. Voted up and beautiful.

I want to cry for Emmy--- and for you

I promised I would read more of your work, and I'm glad I chose this one. You see, my little brain understands this type of narrative poem. As an animal lover, whose heart has been broken by the death of a beloved pet, I understand how you must have felt when Emmy was killed. I will continue to follow your work and try to learn from you. Goodnight.

I have such a deep love for animals, I cannot even describe. I ran over a dog once...black one, he darted in front of my car and I still remember the impact. He had a broken leg, and took off on his three legs. His little boy was in the yard and just screamed and sobbed and chased his pet, trying to catch him. I pulled over immediately. Parents not home, but the next door neighbor came out, told me he would help the boy and the dog. I was EXTREMELY heartbroken. I gave the neighbor my name and phone number, told him to PLEASE give it to the dog's owner. The father of the little boy called me that night. He was so full of gratitude that I took the time to stop and give out my name and number. He said the dog was at the vet and was not going to make it. He then put the little boy on the phone and he talked to me. I still tear up just thinking about it.

That being said I cannot imagine the cruelty of that woman. You described her perfectly. You brought out all my emotions, and I offer sincere condolences for your loss. Years pass, but it never goes away, does it? We have four cats we adore and love with our heart and soul. There's just something about the love and loyalty of an animal. Blessings, Sparklea

Respect PDX. I read your poem again. I see that you are using the technique of associative memory.The cornflakes is linked to the tragedy. In a real life scenario the cornflakes can induce post-traumatic stress.

A dub poem is exclusive to the Jamaican culture. It's just a way of acting out the poem with heavy vocal tones and gestures.

Here is a sample; https://hubpages.com/literature/The-Children-are-C...

Cold - heartless - cruel. I like that part. Its like a transition phase.

I did a dub poem on my hub, The children are crying out for love. There is a video of a street kid doing a dub poem too. I would like to get your feedback as an expert.

Wow you narrated the whole story via a poem...good one but sad that you lost your pet tragically.

R.I. P.

Ohmygosh, Mr. PDX - I just wanted to skritch all 3 of you behind the ears! What a great photo!

Being a "critter person" and having lost many over the years, this poem really spoke volumes. As did your admission that you wear penguin footie pajamas. Ahem.

Voted up and beautiful. Nice work, Mr. PDX.

In a short poem you tell an entire story, of course leading me to tears. I think most of us have had an 'Emmy' in our lives. I hope the lady who drove away found forgiveness for her terrible deed. Voted up as always.

So well written.. animals have had the biggest impact on my life too. You are so talented!

Poor Emmy, poor you! I really do know how you feel.

It reminds me of when I was about 11 years old and my dog Shandy got run over by a motor bike. I had been to the shops for some groceries for my mum when one of the kids off the estate ran up to me crying and shouting, 'it's your dog, she's been run over.' I dropped everything, the pot of jam, the eggs, the bread, everything and ran to her side. The motorcyclist was absolutely devastated but I could only see Shandy lying there, dead and I held her, I cried like I never cried before and called him a murderer.

Memories like that never actually go away, they become apart of who you are. By writing this you prove yourself to be sensitive person.

My memory is always about the broken eggs mixed in with the smashed pot of strawberry jam and my dog lying dead on the curbside, blood dribbled from her mouth and nose. I am still not sure that I ever forgave the motorcyclist even though he came round and offered to buy me a new dog...(obviously didn't know what else to do to show his remorse). Actually it wasn't his fault, Shandy hated motorcycles and if out walking on her lead she would bark and try to run after them. Someone had left the garden gate open that day and Shandy had wandered out to play with the children on the village green, I don't know if that someone was me or one of my friends, I blamed myself. I will never forget that dog and the love and friendship we shared. My consolation is that she died instantly and didn't suffer.

Great hub.

Sorry you had to go through that as a child. I've never had a pet but losing someone you jad a deep emotionel connection never is easy. Great way you got the emotions into the poem.

Cheers

You've described a horrible event, PDXKaraokeGuy, but you've written a dramatic and impressive poem. I'm sorry that you lost Emmy in such a tragic way.

HI Justine ~ Gave this a "beautiful" because of the touching emotions from one moment to the next in the life of a child hearing this news. Hugs, Debby

It's tough losing a pet like that but one thing always leads to another and thankfully for you it led to a better place.

Sniff* Poor Emmy.

Such a vivid walk through an emotional childhood memory. Beautiful and well written. Great Hub!

So sad how tragedy breaks into our favorite things and most peaceful times. Well done but sad memoir

My husband was just telling me that he saw footie pajamas for adults on a TV commercial today. Before that I didn't realize they made them for adults! (smile)

Once again you've gotten us completely into the heart and mind of the little boy you once were- innocent in one moment and the next moment grappling with the death of a beloved dog. The reader feels Emmy on your lap during the long trip, realizes just how young you are from the "footie Pajamas" feels your little world shatter like the ceramic shards, and senses the cruelty of a woman who didn't wait long enough to make sure the kids at the bus stop were okay.

Powerful, poignant poem voted up, useful and awesome.

PDX, how about kindling spirits for a theme? In a way you've already approached "kindling" through your exceptional poem, "Parasite." Does the theme of kindling spirits have a flow for you? If not, that's okay. Just keep writing. As I said to my sis Derdriu t'other day, you have an unusual gift with words and themes.

Kind regards, Stessily

PDX, a poetry challenge it is! Kindling spirits, yes? Would you be willing to go first?

Thank you for asking if I've written any hubs about my dad. My memories of him guide me as I ponder, select, research, and write. I specifically mentioned him in my hub on The Magic of Snow in reference to his appreciation of poetry. Some day I'll release the floodgates to write about him, but in the meantime I deeply appreciate your writings about your dad, for the great respect and appreciation which you clearly feel for him is how I view my dad. Love shines through every word.

Kind regards, Stessily

The human memory is remarkable in that it associates traumatic events with spilt milk and cornflakes. Sorry about Emmy and the cornflakes.

PDX, it is a special feeling, and it is definitely an honor that your father and your poems about your dad call my dad to mind. He was exceptional, and that's the way your dad comes across. Your dad and my dad sound like kindred spirits. Excuse my typo in my previous comment; I meant to write "kindred spirits" but it came out kindling, and I just decided to leave it that way. That might be my new phrase: kindling spirits, as in, kindling inspiration.:-)

Thanks again for your writing, especially your dad poems.

good write but a bummer story, lost an aussie dog myself at the ripe ol' age of 4,suked. my uncle used to eat my soggy flakes cause' I refused, tripped me out...what a stoner

PDX, I like the poems about your Dad. They make me think of my dad, who passed away when I was 10. He was fantastic, one of a kind, like your dad is. My first words were "the dog," which was like saying "daddy" because my father always rescued strays. I remember an adorable black lab puppy who spent the night in our front hall; we all loved it, and the next day my dad found its forlorn family, whose faces lit up at their reunion. Thanks for kindling these memories. In this regard you and I are kindling spirits. Thanks.

PDX, vivid imagery really evokes a sense of the poignancy of Emmy's death. She was clearly loved and loving. It's interesting that your father thought of the importance of saying goodbye to her. You've set this scene well.

Hahahaha! Trust me, I certainly have tragic childhood memories of my own to account for... I think I can handle it. Haha!

You would think that I would have learned not to read your poems from your childhood. They are good. They bring tears to my eyes. And they stir up painful memories of my own childhood, resulting in my need to seek additional therapy. :o) I sincerely hope that writing these poems are a healing for you. Nicely done.

I hear you. Haha I guess I just transported myself to the incident. But I guess over time we learn to forgive and see things with fresher eyes...

The cruelty of some people and the carelessness knows no limits... A great companion I'm sure Emmy must have been. It is just sad to see how a person like this woman, heartless if you ask me, could just do such a thing and then just race away like it was nothing. It makes me angry.

aww poor Emmy! May she rest in peace

Very sad indeed and can empathize. I still remember my Mitzy - a scottish terrier daucshund mix.

I was really caught up in the storyline. I found myself startled with your dad's announcement - caught me completely off guard - as I'm sure it did you. As a reader you took me there and I felt the moment.

I have a question - I'm into sensory details and how they evoke memories. For example, the smell of marshmallows, vanilla and cinnamon remind me of my grandmother's kitchen. I'm curious - do cornflakes occasionally remind you of this day? Or a speeding car near a school bus evoke this memory?

Poor Emmy. It is very sad when our animals pass, but especially the way Emmy did. Lovely poem.

awww no crying of spilled milk and and cereal but shed as many tears as you like for Emmy. I really liked how you wrote this.

Like the Epiman I like your style of writing also, because it is natural and spontaneous. A sad story written just the way it was. I am so sorry for the loss of your "ugly aussie mutt", who meant the world to you.

Poor little Emmy. Why are rewriting this one? It's good.

Voted you up

Beautiful, heartwrenching poem. I was crying as I read it.

...by taking out the tragic context and a memory that could/would haunt a child forever, I must say this is so beautifully written (as if in a poetic monologue) and I love this style of writing because it's so expressive and direct ....hubbravo to you my friend for writing this one but naturally so sorry for the pain that it caused you and your family in that moment in time .....

lake erie time ontario canada 2:29pm

Heartbreaking and tragic but a beautiful tribute to Emmy.

Oh, that is HEARTBREAKING. I'm so sorry. Your poem is beautiful; a wonderful tribute to your little Emmy. I have tears in my eyes. :-( People can be truly horrible.

So sad! Such a traumatic event for a young child. : (

Yes always heartbreaking to lose a pet! :(

It's never easy losing a pet. Remarkable the things our minds cling to. Of all the memories that could have staed in your mind, it was the cereal on the floor.