hope this font is ok modurator!

heard this poem on radio 4 today , isn it sad
“The Power of the Dog”
Rudyard Kipling


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THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But . . . you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve.
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?





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Yes I think it is sad.

that's made me cry now ..... what have you done, i never cry ... :(

That fetched a tear to my eye and put a lump in my throat.

Why does it sound so resentful though? :confused:

Then again, I never understood those who say 'never again..' when their dog makes the last trip to the vets :sad:

I agree it does sound resentful, but I think it is bitter reflection that you only have a dog for a short time, and love a dog so very much

still mkes me cry when I read it...........................................

From the genius that was Spike Milligan....

"The Dog Lovers

So they bought you
And kept you in a
Very good home
Central heating
TV
A deep freeze
A very good home-
No one to take you
For that lovely long run-
But otherwise
'A very good home'
They fed you Pal and Chum
But not that lovely long run,
Until, mad with energy and boredom
You escaped - and ran and ran and ran
Under a car.
Today they will cry for you -
Tomorrow they will buy another dog"