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<h2><SPAN name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"></SPAN> THE POWER OF THE DOG </h2>
<p class="poem">
There is sorrow enough in the natural way<br/>
From men and women to fill our day;<br/>
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,<br/>
Why do we always arrange for more?<br/>
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware<br/>
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.<br/>
<br/>
Buy a pup and your money will buy<br/>
Love unflinching that cannot lie—<br/>
Perfect passion and worship fed<br/>
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.<br/>
Nevertheless it is hardly fair<br/>
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.<br/>
<br/>
When the fourteen years which Nature permits<br/>
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,<br/>
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs<br/>
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,<br/>
Then you will find—it's your own affair<br/>
But... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.<br/>
<br/>
When the body that lived at your single will<br/>
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)<br/>
When the spirit that answered your every mood<br/>
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,<br/>
You will discover how much you care,<br/>
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!<br/>
<br/>
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,<br/>
When it comes to burying Christian clay.<br/>
Our loves are not given, but only lent,<br/>
At compound interest of cent per cent.<br/>
Though it is not always the case, I believe,<br/>
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:<br/>
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,<br/>
A short-time loan is as bad as a long<br/>
So why in Heaven (before we are there!)<br/>
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?</p>
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