 Apparently, the only existing photograph of Arthur Guiterman the internet has to offer. "Motto For a Dog" Arthur Guiterman I love this little house because It offers, after dark, A pause for rest, a rest for paws, A place to moor my bark.   | Born in Vienna, on November 20, 1871 Arthur Guiterman was an American poet famous for his clever humor and quick language. Guiterman later graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1891. He was a writer of the moment and brought the topics on the mind of the contemporary American public to life, he wrote of technological advances and modern progress with good natured style. Guiterman wrote satires, and addressed the hypocrisy of the ladies of Daughters of the American Revolution (and three other clubs open only to descendants of pre-Independence British Americans) and combined both entertainment and insightful philosophy in his poetry and novels. An editor for Woman's Home Companion and the Literary Digest, as well as other magazines. Guiterman co-founded the Poetry Society of America in 1910, and later served as its president in the years of 1925-1926. Guiterman was forever caught in the “now” addressing the rapid and often shocking evolution of society with good-humor and mental agility; exemplified in the rhyming couplet "First dentistry was painless;/Then bicycles were chainless" as well as the following lines “Now motor roads are dustless, The latest steel is rustless, Our tennis courts are sodless, Our new religions, godless.” A wonderfully delightful combination of absurd, candid and poignant Guiterman is a lesser known literary treat. |
Arthur Guiterman is witty and utterly delightful, an american writer best known for his comical poetry. Guiterman work is playful and nonsensical: his verse is simple and light-hearted, full of clever wordplay and charming cadence. His poem, “Motto For a Dog,” is short and sweet, in only four lines it transports the reader expertly into the uncluttered thoughts of the canine mind. Consisting of uncomplicated pleasures and bare minimum needs. A little silly, a tad bittersweet, wholly honest and infinitely charming. Traditional format and sound phonetic structure, paired with a simple but tasteful rhyme scheme, makes for poetry at it’s most essential and enjoyable a masterpiece for all ages. “Motto For a Dog,” can become relatable and astute for mature readers, and simultaneously spirited and innocent enough for the youngest of children. The theme of “Motto For a Dog,” is universal and the speaker hopelessly lovable.
Arthur Guiterman uses a very basic format, allowing his speaker’s voice and word-play to scintillate uninhibited by unnecessary complexities. He writes in essential iambic feet(an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one), and his lines are made of alternating lengths switching every other line between six and eight syllables: the first is eight, the second six and so on. His rhyme scheme has a corresponding organization, composed in ABAB it flows with effortless balance and poise. Guiterman is meticulous in his arrangement even when it feels completely carefree, the strict format never softens for a moment. This loyal consistency allows for quick tempo and fluid wordplay; which is consequently Guiterman literary device of choice, he uses it adeptly in his third line, “A pause for rest, a rest for paws,” a wee bit youthful but charismatic and rhythmic all the same. Guiterman conveys the simplicity and duality of a dog’s love of his home, both a reason to take a moment for himself and an opportunity to do so all in one. This simple “little house,” is in all likelihood only an old wooden dog house, plain as can be, yet fully satisfying, because it full fils its intended purpose flawlessly. “It offers after dark,” so it is there when it is needed everyday without fail, shelter through the elements: wind, or rain, sleet or hail, blizzard or thunderstorm, frigidly cold or sweltering hot. “A place to moor [his] bark.” This is one certainty the dog may call his very own, a place to stake his claim, a throne from which to voice his views, one place in which his power is he ultimatum. His home is his one stability he hopes never to lose. Yet, “Motto For a Dog,” can easily become a metaphor for any treasured home, whether it is that of a man, woman, creature or child. The common theme of saftey, stability, assurances and gratitude tinged with a little pride and possession remains true for all, for honestly don’t we all “ . . . love this little house, because it offers after dark, a pause for rest, a rest for pause, a place to moor [our] bark.”
Arthur Guiterman verse is general enough to apply to anyone and intelligent and astute enough to please everyone. “Motto For a Dog,” is a rhythmic and universal definition of the concept of a “home”; a place of love and security, foundation and tranquility, both physically and mentally, a cessation from the traumas and tribulations of everyday life. Guiterman composition puts no restrictions on what can be called a home, for if even something as small and ordinary as a dog house can not just qualify as a home, but be admired and appreciated for it’s functionality as one, then surely any location where, safety and love can be found, a place you can depend on in times of difficulty or whenever you’re in need of a haven: if a location has all of these factors whether it is a building, a group of people, an object or simply an area it is by interpretation a “home”. Hopelessly charming and instantly appealing Guiterman provides above and beyond ordinary gratification in all areas: memorable rhyme, eloquent organization, buoyant wordplay, clever and universal theme and conveyance of it. “Motto For a Dog,” maybe not a masterpiece, but it’s all the easier to enjoy for, no time is wasted in dissection or analysis, and in this pure verisimilitude the exaltation of this light-hearted verse is purest, and not lost in frivolous ramifications.
Arthur Guiterman uses a very basic format, allowing his speaker’s voice and word-play to scintillate uninhibited by unnecessary complexities. He writes in essential iambic feet(an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one), and his lines are made of alternating lengths switching every other line between six and eight syllables: the first is eight, the second six and so on. His rhyme scheme has a corresponding organization, composed in ABAB it flows with effortless balance and poise. Guiterman is meticulous in his arrangement even when it feels completely carefree, the strict format never softens for a moment. This loyal consistency allows for quick tempo and fluid wordplay; which is consequently Guiterman literary device of choice, he uses it adeptly in his third line, “A pause for rest, a rest for paws,” a wee bit youthful but charismatic and rhythmic all the same. Guiterman conveys the simplicity and duality of a dog’s love of his home, both a reason to take a moment for himself and an opportunity to do so all in one. This simple “little house,” is in all likelihood only an old wooden dog house, plain as can be, yet fully satisfying, because it full fils its intended purpose flawlessly. “It offers after dark,” so it is there when it is needed everyday without fail, shelter through the elements: wind, or rain, sleet or hail, blizzard or thunderstorm, frigidly cold or sweltering hot. “A place to moor [his] bark.” This is one certainty the dog may call his very own, a place to stake his claim, a throne from which to voice his views, one place in which his power is he ultimatum. His home is his one stability he hopes never to lose. Yet, “Motto For a Dog,” can easily become a metaphor for any treasured home, whether it is that of a man, woman, creature or child. The common theme of saftey, stability, assurances and gratitude tinged with a little pride and possession remains true for all, for honestly don’t we all “ . . . love this little house, because it offers after dark, a pause for rest, a rest for pause, a place to moor [our] bark.”
Arthur Guiterman verse is general enough to apply to anyone and intelligent and astute enough to please everyone. “Motto For a Dog,” is a rhythmic and universal definition of the concept of a “home”; a place of love and security, foundation and tranquility, both physically and mentally, a cessation from the traumas and tribulations of everyday life. Guiterman composition puts no restrictions on what can be called a home, for if even something as small and ordinary as a dog house can not just qualify as a home, but be admired and appreciated for it’s functionality as one, then surely any location where, safety and love can be found, a place you can depend on in times of difficulty or whenever you’re in need of a haven: if a location has all of these factors whether it is a building, a group of people, an object or simply an area it is by interpretation a “home”. Hopelessly charming and instantly appealing Guiterman provides above and beyond ordinary gratification in all areas: memorable rhyme, eloquent organization, buoyant wordplay, clever and universal theme and conveyance of it. “Motto For a Dog,” maybe not a masterpiece, but it’s all the easier to enjoy for, no time is wasted in dissection or analysis, and in this pure verisimilitude the exaltation of this light-hearted verse is purest, and not lost in frivolous ramifications.
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