THE POWER OF THE DOG

by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way

From men and women to fill our day;

But 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 that nature permits

Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits

And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs

To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.

Then you will find–its your own affair

But–you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will

When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)

When the spirit that answered your every mood

Is gone–wherever it goes–for good,

You still 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?