I think I can relate this to our real life we all are wolfs that are in a rat race chasing our dreams even if we deeply don't mean it. Some of us, the fastest manage to reach it but still won't feel full. Then chase another one. 
Really liked the rhyme in this one!!

Interesting! I was going to say it felt very pleasing to read. I enjoyed the pacing of the lines. Didn’t know there was a thing called ballad meter.

Hey, thank you for your thoughts. This poem is actually written in pretty strict ballad meter. Meter is more than just the number of syllables per line, it’s also how the stresses are arranged in the line, to put it most generally

To me this poem conveys the reality of contemporary working life, with words like 'commute' and 'quitting' giving the reader the idea of the 9-to-5 rat race.

The greyhounds represent people chasing higher and higher salaries, promotions etc. The last stanza linking back to the first signifies the endless day-in-and-day-out routine.

The description of the rabbit as 'artificial' shows how these work targets are vaccuous and unfulfilling, but that the drive to keep working comes from a more primal urge to constantly be pursuing goals, like an animal's 'drive for prey'.

Also, the fact that the rabbit is described as 'lucky' alludes to how peoples' positions in corporate hierarchies are arbitrary to some degree, due to their backgrounds, workplace culture, nepotism etc, and that working hard isn't a sure fire way of progressing up the ladder.

I like the regular ABAB rhyme scheme, it works well when using quatrains. It also links to the regular monotony of everyday work life.

To improve

I can honestly say I have never read a poem "about" dog racing before. 

This is really a brilliant poem, very well written, a pleasant rhyme, but the metaphor is the best part. The ignorant but eager, driven by a subverted instinct, competing for a false reward, for others gain and willing to fight to do it. This excellent poem either makes one think, or should.

great use of subtle metaphor and very concise storytelling (getting through the message without too many words) 

I'll say that you shouldn't feel too afraid to use more complicated rhyme schemes or multisyllabic rhymes if it feels a little awkward or unnatural

I love how it flows off the tongue so easily, it helps paint the imagery in the readers head. I like to think of the poem not necessarily having a deeper meaning or it being an Analogy as even as short as it is, it paints a little image. And that little image of a race track with dog racing is building a scene in my head and I think that shows how powerful this poem is, good work ;)

i like this one low-tie. it paints a solid image of greyhounds chasing a fake rabbit but leaves a lot of room for symbolic interpretation. i think the rabbit being artificial feels very important here. once the greyhounds finally catch it, they realise they were conned as it's not even edible. maybe this relates to those who finally get what they thought they wanted, only to be left unsatisfied. 

then, even know the greyhounds become aware of the rabbit being fake, quitting isn't an option and they still can't help but chase it. maybe they are addicted to the chase more so than the prize. maybe they will settle for a fake rabbit because the real thing is too unattainable. maybe they've just become creatures of habit and repetition, much like people waking up at the same time each morning to perform the same jobs. lots of food for thought.

lastly, I dig the rhyme scheme of course. love a "simple" rhyming poem with lots of meaning. :-)


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I enjoy the literal interpretation of this poem, it’s almost mournful for a real hunt. The word commute felt weird to me but rhyming is hard so I get it

Hi Low! I can't help but lose myself in your poignant image of an abused but talented animal in a rigged contest running for "an artificial rabbit" that isn't even "meant to eat." Feels appropriate for this terrible modern age with all of its false and hollow ends and goals.

That said, do you think that more of a boots style would lend itself to the immersion? Less rhyme, less meter, less filler, less explanation (i.e "they're at the track"). You could start with restless in the chute and lean on your ability to lead a mystery loving reader with your wet and vibrant pen.

I really love the metaphor of this poem, very relatable to pretty much everyone. It’s got a mature tone to it to, which I like for this kind of metaphor.

Greyhounds