Rosie Knows

Susan Mayer Brumel

Rhymed

Rosie Knows

Rosie knows the bluebird’s loss
when clipped of feathered wing,
And why when bunny’s
snatched by fox,
its mama grieves the spring

Rosie knows the lightning strike
is followed by the blast,
And how to wish with all her might,
the suffering won’t last

Rosie knows that hunger pangs
consume you in the dark,
Though evilness snuffs out the light,
there’s evermore, a spark —

Rosie knows there’s always hope
your troubles soon will end,
That caring folks will help you cope,
and all your wounds will mend…

Rosie knows —I saw it there
in bright and soulful eyes,
That she no longer has to bear,
a cruel and lonely life

Rosie knows her heart is safe,
her body free from harm-
When she is in the warm embrace
of Mema’s loving arms

Rosie knows how grateful feels,
her big tail sprightly swishes —
The ones she loves and who love her,
have granted all her wishes!

About this poem

One day I met a woman sitting on the beach, hugging a big dog that was sitting in her lap. The woman told me that she rescued Rosie a few months earlier, and shared with me some of what she endured before they rescued her. You could see in Rosie’s eyes how grateful she was and how much she and her Mema loved each other. I was so moved by this experience, that I wrote a poem for them.

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Collection

Written on September 11, 2024

Submitted by susan.brumel on January 13, 2025

Modified by susan.brumel on January 13, 2025

: 55 sec read
: 327 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABAXB XCDC XEDE FGFG HXHX XXXX XIXI
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	914
Words	184
Stanzas	7
Stanza Lengths	5, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Full analysis for Rosie Knows »

Susan Mayer Brumel

· 1955 · Newark, New Jersey

A few years ago, I retired from a thirty-five year career in hospice counseling, at which time I began writing poetry. My poems are influenced by my patients’ journeys, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. A lover of all animals and most people, I enjoy spending time in nature, long walks, and reading Pablo Neruda, Blake, William Carlos Williams, James Joyce, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Leonard Cohen, and more. Baudelaire tells us to ‘be drunk’ on something every day; I am drunk on poetry and intend never to be sober! more…

All Susan Mayer Brumel poems | Susan Mayer Brumel Books

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10 Comments

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jn.selvadurai
Such a beautiful construction with a heart warming human touch. Until her big tail sprightly swishes, in the is the last verse we cannot guess who Rosie is. Thank you Susan.
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Aha! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind words.
  LikeReply1 month ago
bookerina
How heart-warming! Dogs are so special!
LikeReply1 month ago
karlcfolkes
There’s indeed an incredible and even magical bond between humans and pets, especially dogs, so much so that myths, legends, and history itself celebrate this bond that is experienced and expressed in all cultures. Thank, Susan, for sharing this story. more »
LikeReply1 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Yes indeed, Karl. My pleasure.
  LikeReply1 month ago
yelskwah
I was particularly touched by the lines "Rosie knows her heart is safe, / her body free from harm— / When she is in the warm embrace / of Mema’s loving arms." They perfectly capture Rosie's feelings of safety and love. Your background story adds even more depth and meaning to the poem. more »
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Thank you, Joel. It was a tender moment. I’m happy I was able to capture it. :-)
  LikeReply1 month ago
robertl.92681
Lovely and yes they definitely know
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Thank you, Robert. Yes, they sure do! And they give back our love ten-fold.
  LikeReply1 month ago
AmyMMosier
"there's evermore, a spark -" is my favorite line. It was not what I expected.

I was delighted at the last stanza figuring out who Rosie was. Well done!
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Thank you so much, Amy. Your support is much appreciated!
  LikeReply1 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Oh, and I like that “there’s evermore a spark” is your favorite line. I see it as the point in which hope for our beloved animals emerges in the poem. :-)
  LikeReply1 month ago
mark.e.s
That made me cry. I suffered the loss of a rescue when I was a kid who became beloved by my family. We gave him a good life and he was happy. He was very sweet but abused by his former owner. He escaped, and I found him in a field wrapped in barbwire. It was weaved onto him and there is no way he could have done it accidently himself. The skin of his neck was growing around a large, thick collar that was made of heavy leather and cinched down very tightly. I had to remove the barbwire and the collar very gingerly so as not to injure him; he calmed down and let me do it. Walking to the village one day, one of my sisters and I ran into the nephew of his previous owner just by coincidence. My dog who followed us everywhere, ran up to him, stood up and put his front paws on his shoulders, shaking from excitement and tail wagging the whole time. The young man had recognized our dog, and he told me about his aunt, who kept him chained closely to the steps outside, and was very unkind to him in general. When I lost him finally to cancer, it was nearly unbearable. :) more »
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  My goodness, Mark! What a remarkable rescue. Your puppy was so lucky you happened along to save him. And I’m sure you gave him a wonderful life. They are forever grateful and never forget kindness shown to them. We never have them long enough…
  I’m happy my poem resonated with you, but I’m sorry it made you cry. more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago
Symmetry60
Nothing moves me more than dog/animal stories. How many videos do we watch of people loving their pets and pets reciprocating that love back upon their owners? I've shed more than a tear while watching puppy videos that for sure. Amazing poetry here, Susan. So well thought out and rhythmically proficient. Bravo, buddy girl. more »
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Thank you, buddy.
  I had a feeling you’d like this one. Yes, we’ve watched many sweet animal videos. Thank you for your kind words.
  LikeReply1 month ago
npirandy
In one of my poems, I mentioned you can't know true devotion if you've never owned a dog. This brings out the beautiful truth in a lovely poetic way. I love this poem. Our old friend Robin would have loved it as well. more »
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Awwww. Your comment pulled on my heartstrings, Randy. Yes, I do remember Robin loved animals very much. I’m so happy you enjoyed this one. I know you love them too.
  LikeReply1 month ago
- npirandy
  My life would have been empty without them.
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  I so know that feeling, my friend!
  LikeReply1 month ago
philmaund
Beautiful!
LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  Thank you, Phil. Much appreciated. Been looking for more from you…
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- philmaund
  My wife makes toys, snuffle mats and snuffle balls for a local charity called African Tails who sterilize strays and rescue abused animals. Because there is very little that the animal anti-cruelty people can do, and because their is no legal recourse here in South Africa, some of the abuse is beyond horrific. But the transformation when the rescued dogs are loved and cared for is wondrous to behold -- just as in your beautiful poem! more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago
- susan.brumel
  What wonderful work your wife does! Please tell her thank you from me. There’s certainly so much more that needs to be done to help, but efforts like your wife’s make a significant impact on the lives of many animals. Thank you so much for your kind words about this poem, and for your ongoing support of my poetry. :-) more »
  LikeReply 11 month ago

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"Rosie Knows" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 19 Feb. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/209847/rosie-knows>.

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