Kwame Alexander’s latest crowdsourced poem explores the world through the eyes of Morning Edition listeners’ pets.
Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images
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Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images
Kwame Alexander’s latest crowdsourced poem explores the world through the eyes of Morning Edition listeners’ pets.
Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images
We asked and your pets answered.
NPR poet-in-residence Kwame Alexander shares his latest community crowd sourced poem from pet owners around the country, from ages six to 86.
We heard from over 700 of you, sharing the words of what your pets might be thinking about you, their next meals, their next adventures, their next cuddles and more.
Read Alexander’s poem, titled Dear Captor: You Talk, I Wonder.
Hi, My name is Larry Longshanks
And for my folks I give thanks.
My name is Leo and I am a dog
Once I was let outside to almost eat a frog
Fluffy, the pre-school hamster
I am the 6th to bear the name.
I try to live my life with dignity and grace, resigned to my fate.
But some day, when one of them takes me home,
I swear I will make my escape.
It’s dark and cold. I can hear the other prisoners barking.
I don’t begrudge you that last trip to the vet four days ago.
The women fed me remarkable treats.
My needs are so few:
Food, water, toys, and outdoors
A clean litter box
I am a stinky dog.
I lick, jump, eat everything
I sniff, I pee
I smell every tree
Who was here before
Sharp and soft in your residential jungle, dear captor, I listen to your whispering eyelash and your swishing pulse, but I hear beyond: scraping step of ladybug, a moth’s powdery wing, delicate spider dances.
You talk, I wonder: Would you notice each sky if I weren’t there to get you outside?
I can’t tell you about my life before
Just as well, I don’t want you to be sad
Despite her many clocks, </…….