At Writer’s Island, we were given a one-word prompt: embark. I couldn’t help myself, honest! Amy
EM BARKS
The dog next door is named Emily
but her folks just call her Em
She’s friendly, happy, friendly
but her barking sounds like phlegm
propelled from asthmatic lungs
onto the driveway each day
When she barks, mucus is flung
The goop flies every which way
She’s a sweetly adorable pug
but her bark/slopping never stops
The neighbors are pitching in
for a bib and some doggie cough drops
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
RJ
Finally! Thank you – I was waiting for someone to do a ‘dog’ post. hahahaha ☼
Happy New Year!
Sharp Little Pencil
I do know a dog named Emily, and she’s a pug chock full of snot and drool. So I figured, what the hell? ha ha ha ha
Happy New Year, Randi! A
pamela
Very funny Amy! Thanks for that 🙂
My mom had two pugs and I know what you mean.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
My friend Michelle had two pugs as well. It’s almost like a cult – they get together, have Pug People conventions, like Trekkies! And I don’t blame them; if I ever had a dog, I would probably choose a pug if the shelter had one… cutest darned dogs. But the phlegm was a bit overdone for poetic effect…!
Amy
Debbie
You crack me up! Of course you had to do it!!! And I thank you . . . 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s like a tic or something. I got up this morning and wrote new lyrics to “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” this morning. Starts out “My kid brother peed on Santa Claus, at the local shopping mall last night…” I can’t get through it without laughing…
kaykuala
Amy,
It takes a very good sense of humour and great wit to come up with Em that barks. Had a good laugh over this! Great!
Sharp Little Pencil
First thing on a prompt: Look for a bad pun. Then see how disgustingly drooly you can make it!! Glad you liked it, and thanks for dropping by! Amy
Tilly Bud
I love it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Linda. I love pugs, but this one was just my imagination gone wild. Arf. Amy
vivinfrance
I loved the pun of the first stanza, and was reading it aloud to my family. When I got to the second verse, they HOWLED me down!
Sharp Little Pencil
HOWLED? Oh, brother, Viv, you got me there! So glad I gave your family a laugh!! Bow wow, Amy
Strummed Words
Cute! Luckily she her bark is worse than her bite!
Sharp Little Pencil
Much worse. Unless you count that if she bites you, all that disgusting flotsam tags along… eeeeew! Amy
Rachel Green
What a delightful, fun poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Glad you liked it. I had no idea how much feedback I’d get, but I guess we’re all hungry for some humor after January reality sets in, right? Thanks, Rachel. Amy
Deborah
Just brilliant … I loved it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Why, thank you, Deborah! I’ll jump by and see what you’re up to! Peace, Amy
Kim Nelsons
I love that little pug! And found your take on the prompt refreshing and unique. Yay you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Pugs in general are among my fave dogs. If we had a dog, I’d probably look for one at the shelter. Then I’d join one of those “pug cults” my friends always talk about, where they have conventions and other pug-tastic events!!! Yay right back atcha! Amy
Karen
Very clever and funny! I love it 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Karen, thanks so much for stopping by! Glad you liked this… I really enjoyed writing it, to tell you the truth. Life gets so serious around Resolutions time, and I had to blow off some steam… peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
So cute! Pugs are adorable. Loved the poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ain’t they the cutest little boogers? I just love them. My friend Mish has a pug named Lily who always licks my face and usually ends up going up one of my nostrils!! Gross, but those little snorty pups are so sweet… Thanks, Sherry. Peace, A
Fireblossom
Okay, now that’s hilarious, and a very original take on what I assume was the prompt word, “embark.”
I’m not familiar with Writer’s Island. I’ll have to check it out!
Meanwhile, say it, don’t spray it, puppy! LOL
Sharp Little Pencil
Slobber, slobber, slobber! Yeah, Writer’s Island has great prompts, and you can post whenever you want, which is nice. Also try Poets United, and possibly Poet Asides, although their writers are a bit less on the political/outrageous side…! Amy
Berowne
In a strange way, I had a similar take. I’d appreciate learning your reaction.
Sharp Little Pencil
If we’re talking about Em Barks, I couldn’t find this on your blog. Will email you and find out what’s up! Thanks for coming by, Berowne; I love, just love your blog – the look, the content… your writing is so original! Amy
sheila h
what a great laugh gotten from this poem ..the first one for 2011..much needed
your chum…
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad I could provide a laugh, especially on a good pun, since the prompt was “Embarks,” and you are just as fond of puns as I…
I was away saying goodbye to my hometown this week… that’s why no new stuff, but I will visit you, since you said you’re up to some stuff…
See ya, chum o’ mine! Amy