Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way,

From men and women to fill our day,

Yet when we are certain of sorrow in store,

Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and sisters I bid you beware,

of giving your hearts 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 fourteen years that nature permits

are closing in asthma or tumour or fits,

And the vet's unspoken prescriptions 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 that body that lived at your single will,

When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!!)

Is gone - wherever it goes - for good,

You still 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 always the case I believe

That the longer we've kept them the more we 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 go there)

Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

                                        - Rudyard Kipling