Mr. Dog - Oliver Kleyer

Mr. Dog always looks a little sad

but is a very cheerful guy.

Mr. Dog says his name sounds

like an old-fashioned rock band

and he thinks, they really could exist.

But as long as he is not sure,

his favourite band is bob hund.

Mr. Dog says he has a very important job

helping little kids to learn and to heal

their bruised souls.

He works in a team

with Jackie the classroom watch dog,

Teddy, the guardian angel bear and

Nej, the Swedish unicorn.

They get along very well.

Mr. Dog says he doesn't mind being

hugged or cuddled or squeezed,

as long as the kids don't throw him.

Mr Dog says he is a very happy dog,

because he found a relevant and

rewarding task and he hopes that

you have, too, with all of his

plushy heart.

Originally published by Palest Blue, Issue 8, January 2023

Oliver Kleyer is a teacher and poet from Northern Germany. He teaches German as a Second Language in a refugee camp. He writes in German and English. His works have appeared in The Zinnia Journal, Oatleaf and Suburban Witchcraft as well as in anthologies like FromOneLine to another or Dadakuku 2.

His poem "A rambling meditation", published in Raw Lit" was nominated for "Best of the Net 2025". His micro story "The Vampire Child" won second place in Academy of the Heart and Mind's May Microfiction Contest.