> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.tom-shaw.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Black Dog - URL: https://www.tom-shaw.uk/black-dog/ - Published: 2024-01-09T13:10:24.000Z - Updated: 2024-01-09T13:10:24.000Z - Description: A Poem by Tom Shaw - Author: Tom Shaw - Tags: Poems, #substack, #substack-type-newsletter, #substack-access-everyone, #Import 2026-10-24 12:50 > Tell me what your name is > and what it means to you, > how it follows silently > to bite onto the new. > > Tell me what brings you to this place > and the journey that you took; > the adventure that you carried > as the ground beneath you shook. > I hear your huffs and puffs of fear > but let it be known that you are safe here. > > Tell me what you’re running from > and the way it snarls and barks; > the hateful eyes that locked on you > and its fangs like ancient sharks’. > And as you come to say its name, > I sense it catching up again. > Your breathing hastens, body tenses, > eyes go darting around the room. > And then the beast that shares your name > sinks its teeth in you again. > I see you crying out in pain > For the trauma’s starting up again. > > The black dog has returned again. > > You can hate me, if you must, > for thinking we’d not rattle the cage. > But I have not betrayed my word, > for we outlive the black dog’s rage. > > I see your dog; I know him well. > But the leash needs turning the right way round. > For then the children can play with him, > for he is a puppy and not a hound. > > Now that I have seen his tricks, > I know your dog is a good one. > Let us relieve him of his duties > so that I can ask you – what is your name?Black Dog - by Tom Shaw --- “Black Dog” was originally published via [Over to the Youth](https://open.substack.com/users/2379133) in December 2023\. It is one of the poems featured in my book “Born Anew and Other Poems”, which you can find out more about below: [Born Anew and Other Poems](https://tom-shaw.uk/born-anew-and-other-poems/?ref=tom-shaw.uk) This is always one of my favourites to read live, and I find people from all walks of life are able to resonate with it. Let me know if you do too in the comments below: [Leave a comment](#ghost-comments-root) *Music:* [*Squire Tuck - Soaring Above The Clouds*](https://freemusicarchive.org/music/squire-tuck/ambient-sounds/soaring-above-the-clouds/?ref=tom-shaw.uk) --- ![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/136454ba-6384-44dd-add6-9fae0820fd1d_2400x3000.png) “Black Dog” is also available as a framed print. One of these currently lives on the wall of my grandma’s house, and it looks fantastic there. Check out the [Shop](https://tom-shaw.uk/shop/?ref=tom-shaw.uk) page or use the product entries below to take a look. [Black Dog - High-Quality Framed Print](https://tom-shaw.uk/product/framed-poster/?ref=tom-shaw.uk) ![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/c0069820-d24f-43e9-8d9f-1889dffe0c3e_1000x1000.png) Artwork made with AI using Canva. --- ![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/38cb9dda-4264-4a53-8160-9694aa24d586_640x640.jpg) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## More Like This [The Badger's PathSavaging its way with gnarling shrieks, the badgering is upon the woods once more. With the might of all the world’s armies, any plant or rodent crossing on his path is a target for nuclear detonatio…![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/c307d39e-3048-4ec9-b511-12a1a31ba9aa_800x800.png)Tom ShawTom Shaw![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/ff98bcbd-25f7-49a3-81e3-d55c8298e342_1280x853.jpg)](https://www.tom-shaw.uk/the-badgers-path/) [Pig People![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/c307d39e-3048-4ec9-b511-12a1a31ba9aa_800x800.png)Tom ShawTom Shaw![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/0be172c1-8562-4512-be00-2135a7373e82_1152x640.jpg)](https://www.tom-shaw.uk/pig-people/) [Born Anew![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/c307d39e-3048-4ec9-b511-12a1a31ba9aa_800x800.png)Tom ShawTom Shaw![](https://cdn.mymidnight.blog/a14ac55a4f27472c5d894ec1c3c743d2/substack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com/public/images/267d512f-fc3a-4b5a-b9bf-6640500eafde_1152x640.jpg)](https://www.tom-shaw.uk/born-anew-994/)