Instructions for the Dog-Sitter

a poem by Robyn Schelenz

Hello readers,

Today, a new poem from Robyn Schelenz. I want to thank

Avery Gregurich

for flagging this one. He’s been the first reader of poetry submissions for a minute, but after a good hang and very serious discussion a few weeks ago in Iowa City, Avery is now first reader for all submissions. I can tell you that he’s giving the work ultimate care. Awesome.

Real quick, if you’re shopping for loved ones: Free Magazines. Hats Cost $30.

I’ll got a few more pieces coming before the end of the year; we wrap up the Postcards and Audio Letters retrospective, watch another adaptation with Brittany Menjivar, and the writer of one of my favorite contemporary novels (who is also a touring musician) answers the Paperback Rider questions.

🖤AV

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DOG-SITTER

by Robyn Schelenz

Please
do not enter
countries where presidents speed over their own people
or wring out towels over the kitchen sink
we have a utility closet for that.
Please bring your own broccoli;
the emergency Häagen-Dazs is in the frozen broccoli tub.
I repeat, bring your own broccoli
we are not a broccoli house.
Ants bring shiny stones of average size
but write that down if you want it to change. There is no number to call
that will actually help you
which is again, why we must write.
The steak place on the corner is good
I saw a Buddha there once
murmuring quietly
within waiters’ lost hearts
and the sharks usually stay in their water near the embarcadero.
My dog is not an atheist, he just pees on the church.
In case anyone asks, you can explain.
He is scared of leaves at night but feathers are OK.
They are quiet when they move
like almost all geese except the one that changes everything
heavy leather strap
that opens the dawn

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Robyn Schelenz is from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. Her work can be found at Jet Fuel Review, Gone Lawn, Permafrost, Rattle and Relegation Books' journal, R&R, among others, with work forthcoming from Biscuit Hill and Exacting Clam. Her chapbook "Natural Healing," a collection of short poems and fables about our (un)natural attempts to heal the (un)natural world, is out from Bottlecap Press. She lives in San Francisco with her dog, Donut. Find more poems and a picture of Donut at robynschelenz.com.

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Reading on your phone? Click below for the poem’s intended line breaks.

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LITLE EXTRAS:

One minute and thirty seconds of Donut-the-dog footage, with Robyn reading her poem on top. Just so you know what paying gets ya around here.