Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE OLD DOG by ANITA GRAY CHANDLER

First Line: HE LIES UPON THE RUG BEFORE THE FIRE
Last Line: HE KNOWS, DEAR DOG, OUR LOVE FOR HIM WON'T FAIL.
Subject(s): ANIMALS; DOGS;

He lies upon the rug before the fire,
His fine old head upon his out-stretched paws
His eyes are sad with pride, and lost desire
To follow through the winding roads, because
He feels the call of woodland's flying feet.
He knows he's reached the quiet time of life;
No more for him the race, so swift, so fleet,
No more for him the lusty call of strife.
He is an old dog. Tired. With stiff'ning bones.
He drops asleep before the fire, then stirs
A leg, or jerks his ears, and faintly moans,
As some deep dream of old to him recurs.
He wakes as I come near, and wags his tail.
He knows, dear dog, our love for him won't fail.



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