FINDING Francesca full of tears, I said, "Tell me thy trouble." "Oh, my dog is dead! Murdered by poison! -- no one knows for what -- Was ever dog born capable of that?" "Child," -- I began to say, but checked my thought, -- "A better dog can easily be bought." For no -- what animal could him replace? Those loving eyes! That fond, confiding face! Those dear, dumb touches! Therefore I was dumb. From word of mine could any comfort come? A bitter sorrow 't is to lose a brute Friend, dog or horse, for grief must then be mute, -- So many smile to see the rivers shed Of tears for one poor, speechless creature dead. When parents die there's many a word to say, -- Kind words, consoling -- one can always pray; When children die 't is natural to tell Their mother, "Certainly, with them 't is well!" But for a dog, 't was all the life he had, Since death is end of dogs, or good or bad. This was his world; he was contented here; Imagined nothing better, naught more dear, Than his young mistress; sought no brighter sphere; Having no sin, asked not to be forgiven; Ne'er guessed at God nor ever dreamed of heaven. Now he has passed away, so much of love Goes from our life, without one hope above! When a dog dies there's nothing to be said But -- kiss me, darling! -- dear old Smiler's dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE RABBIT by ELIZABETH MADOX ROBERTS GULLS by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AN APRIL MORNING by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH FREQUENTLY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS AFFINITES: 3 by MATHILDE BLIND TENNESSEE; PRIZE CENTENNIAL ODE (1896) by VIRGINIA FRAZER BOYLE |