I’ve never met a man who hated dogs….
One meets with all sorts as through life he jogs –
The mean ones, and the vain ones, and the rash,
The foolish fellows who splash up the cash.
The brisk “live wires,” the dull, the sodden logs –
But I have ne’er met one who hated dogs.
(I think I’m fortunate in this, somehow,
For, if we ever met, there’d be a row).
Mayhap I’m prejudiced; mayhap I’m wise
To judge a fresh acquaintance by his eyes.
But show me one who has a dogs’ straight look,
And I can read that fellow like a book.
I know him for a man who’d be a friend,
A mate, a sticker to the very end.
(He who can’t comprehend this last remark
Is not worth one poor mongrel’s joyous bark).
I left a dog up in the bush last week.
He was my one good pal, who’d never seek
To take advantage of my frailties
(And, heaven knows, I have enough of these).
He was my one good pal who trusted me,
And when the day of parting came, why, he –
(Well, maybe we had better draw the line,
I get so sloppy o’er this frined of mine).
But when I saw that look come in his eyes,
Well – you know what it is when your dog tries
To tell you things – Oh, I think it’s all rot
To say a man could hate dogs. He could not.
Men surely are superior. Well, then?
Where could you find a dog who hates all men?
(My brothers, think this over, and reflect:
E’en curs hold qualities we may respect).
(C J Dennis)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Heaven Poems, Friendship Poems, Books Poems, Brothers Poems, Fool Poems, Dogs PoemsBased on Keywords: sloppy, frailties, jogs, prejudiced, sticker