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Verse for a Certain Dog

 

Such a glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,

Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.

All-innocent you are, and yet all-wise.

(For heaven’s sake, stop worrying that shoe!)

You look about, and all you see is fair;

This mighty globe was made for you alone.

Of all the thunderous ages, you’re the heir.

(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;

High in young pride you hold your noble head;

Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days.

(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)

Lance-like your courage, gleaming swift and strong,

Yours the white rapture of a wingéd soul,

Yours is a spirit like a May-day song.

(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

“Whatever is, is good,” your gracious creed.

You wear your joy of living like a crown.

Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.

(Drop it, I tell you---put that kitten down!)

You are God’s kindliest gift of all,—a friend.

Your shining loyalty un-flecked by doubt,

You ask but leave to follow to the end.

(Couldn’t you wait until I took you out?)

—(The Incomparable) Dorothy Parker—

 

(Ed. Note: Ordinarily the Ojo does not publish material that is not written specifically for our magazine but given that Lakeside is filled with dog-lovers, we thought we’d make an exception in this case. Besides, Dorothy Parker is just too delicious for our taste buds to pass up.)