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You made me
Carrying me when life was heavy.
Comforting me when sadness welled"
Man's best friend is not just a phrase, but an expression of the human spirit. Tomlinson's work is both a tribute and an ode to the unconditional love that dogs bring into one's life, as well as the massive hole they leave in our hearts when they are gone. In a simple yet authentic way, Tomlinson's poetry rekindles an appreciation for our furry friends that is infinite.
Throughout his compilation, Tomlinson describes how even the havoc they wreak in the home, from creating messes to breaking stuff, is part of their endearing personas. While the poetry does not exhibit a specific rhyme scheme, it has a knack for poignant imagery and figurative devices, such as sand kissing the sea and oceans breathing. Specifically, poems like "Inner Sanctum," "Rain," and "Soul Dog" highlight the unimaginable magnitude of a dog's role in the family system. The metaphor in "Rain," suggesting a downpour of emptiness when losing one's pet, aptly captures the numbness and heartbreak that are the price to pay for a lifetime of love.
Aside from the countless adorable photos of pups, it is Tomlinson's character analysis of dogs, from their kindness and pure innocence to their unwavering devotion, that makes readers think seriously about poems like "Masquerade." If the divine were truly masquerading around in any form, the idea that it would be in the form of a dog is undoubtedly fitting. Above all else, Tomlinson wears his heart on his sleeve. Whether it's the longing and waiting that comes with being a dog person, or the euphoria one gets from their simple pitter-patter, it is portrayed with the same intensity and passion that makes this work incredibly heartwarming.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review