Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A DOG by JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SO, BACK AGAIN? AND IS YOUR ERRAND DONE
Last Line: YOUR FALLEN GODS?
Subject(s): RELIGION; THEOLOGY;

SO, BACK again?

-- And is your errand done,

Unfailing one?
How quick the gray world, at your morning look,
Turns wonder book!
Come in -- O guard and guest;
Come, O you breathless, from a lifelong quest!
Search my heart; and if a comfort be,
Ah, comfort me.
You eloquent one, you best
Of all diviners, so to trace
The weather gleams upon a face;
With wordless, querying paw,
Adventuring the law!
You shaggy Loveliness,
What call was it? -- What dream beyond a guess,
Lured you, gray ages back,
From that lone bivouac
Of the wild pack? --
Was it your need or ours? The calling trail
Of Faith that should not fail?
Of hope dim understood? --
That you should follow our poor humanhood,
Only because you would!
To search and circle -- follow and outstrip,
Men and their fellowship;
And keep your heart no less,
Your to-and-fro of hope and wistfulness,
Through all world-weathers and against all odds!

Can you forgive us, now? --
Your fallen gods?



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