his poem entitling The Prayer of the Dog is one of the examples of model poem which is taken from the collection “Prayers from the Ark”. Although the setting is Noah’s Ark, but the meaning-all describe animals feeling and problem in their life- still related to today’s’ condition. The further analysis on the poem is presented below.
The Prayer of the Dog
Lord, I keep watch! If I am not here who will guard their house? Watch over their sheep? Be faithful? No one but You and I understands what faithfulness is. They call me, “Good dog! Nice dog!” Words . . . I take their pats and the old bones they throw me and I seem pleased. They really believe they make me happy. I take kicks too when they come my way. None of that matters. I keep watch! Lord, do not let me die until, for them, all danger is driven away. By Carmen Bernos de Gastold
1. Biography Carmen Bernos de Gastold (1919) spent most of her life in Limon-par-Igny. She lived at the Benedictine Abbeye Saint Louis de Temple. Her famous work “Prayers from the Ark” is originally written in French. It is, then, rewritten in English by Rumer Godden. This is a compilation of 27 poems in which each tells about simple prayer of animals which full of loyalty and warmth but humorous. It was inspired by the story of Noah's ark (in the Bible and Qur’an) which tells about a large wooden ship built by Noah in order to save his family and a male and female of every type of animal when the world was covered by a flood. 2. Poetic Devices a. The Prayer of the Dog is not categorized into stanzaic and rhymed poem, because it has a unity of 23 lines without any division of stanza. The rhyme is free; metrical pattern and rhythm are too. b. In her poem, Carmen Bernos uses repetition as in “Lord”, “I keep watch!”. These words are repeated in order to emphasize that Dog in this poem always awake though he is sleeping. Generally, this describes Dogs with their strong sense of hearing which makes them be sensitive toward dangerous signals. c. Carmen Bernos also uses figurative language in personifying dog. The whole lines describe dog’s prayer, hope and beg, as if he is human being who has an expectation towards his life. Dog prays for something really needed deals with life and dedication. For example, dog hopes for faithfulness between Lord, means God, and him. He also asks for his longer life to keep his boss from all danger. d. The words used in this poem mostly have denotative meaning in which all show truly meaning in conveying the intended message. Clearly, they describe dogs’ characteristics. And, they are easily understood. The grammar used in this poem is in the correct order. But, one sentence is divided into several lines. Besides, the sentences are completed with punctuation. e. There is a symbol, mainly dog. But Carmen uses some other words to illustrate people treat as boss to a dog, such as pat, bones, kicks which symbolize sadness because of bad treatment. f. The tone is optimistic. This is seen from the use of personification in the whole lines has described the way of giving good treatment for animals as the way to treat friends respectively. Beside respectful, prayer of dog illustrates an optimistic view, which means that all prayers are uttered with great hope to get it realized. 3. Point of View Carmen Bernos writes her Prayer-poems from point of view of animals, here dog. She definitely describes what dogs asking for is related to their daily life. Carmen, emphatically, feels that dogs are always faithful to their bosses who have given them comfort and peace. 4. Theme & Message a. This poem, as other poems in Prayers from the Ark, focuses on loyalty. This is shown obviously in the poem, such as in the expression of “Be faithful? No one but You and I”. And the last four lines comprise dog’s expression and expectation as a guard for boss. b. From this poem there are some important things should be considered that: - We should be loyal to our faith (God). - We should keep and build a good social relationship. 5. Comment This poem is suitable for junior high school students because it uses simple language. Students can understand easily the meaning since the words present denotative meaning. The poem is really good especially in leading us understand all God gifts. That is why we should thank and be loyal to God. Through this poem, we can also guide students to take important points from animal side. A dog may ask for longer life to devote his life to the boss and others who need it. Hence, we as human beings -who crowned with intelligence- should be aware of everything. First, we should thank to God. Second, to prove our loyalty on our faith and God, we should take care of our environment. Meanwhile, sad, anger or unsatisfied toward our problem should not be expressed excessively. We should think positively in recognizing that everything God has given us is the best.
Now let us have a look at another poem of Prayers from the Ark!
The Prayer of the Tortoise
A little patience, O God, I am coming. One must take nature as she is! It was not I who made her! I do not criticize this house on my back- it has its points- but you must admit, Lord, it is heavy to carry! Still, let us hope that this double enclosure, my shell and my heart, will never be quite shut to You. Amen
This poem seems funny with tortoise complaint of its heavy shell, but it does not really sad because its shell has actually benefited for tortoise life. We take a conclusion that we should not adjust everything from one side of our ego. We should think deeply and in right way with some consideration of bad and good effect will appear. Finally, we, our group like this poem as well as other Prayer-poems in Prayers from the Ark’s compilation. They bring deep and valuable meaning for our life.
Analyzed by Isna Indriati and Cici Kowiah | 
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