THE POWER OF THE DOG by R. Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day,
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sister, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the 14 years which nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumors, or fits
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find it's your own affair
But.... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will
With it's whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still)
Is gone, wherever it goes, for good.
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay,
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept’em, the more we do grieve.
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long...
So why in Heaven, before we are there,
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?