News-Record.com

Sonnet for a Dog

My ginger-eyed jester looks up and beams

hoping, as she does, for that spark, that smile

forever bestowed only on the others.

She wags her tail and sits pretty as they clutch their children

and turn away, satisfied in their own opinions.

They would, if they could, strip her of her canine name,

banish her from the grassy Kingdom of Dog,

blithley approve of her extinction on the six o'clock news.

My Pagliacci piglet, my unflagging optimist, my shameless flirt,

do you feel how they have closed against you?

Does it dessicate your heart, as it does mine?

I am your champion, your disciple, your mother, your friend.

I am the one who loves the light in you,

not in spite of, but because.

My Cross

A cross of empty words was mine,
Crafted for my proud design;
"Jesus" just a fawning name
Used to play my public game.

All the useless praise I craved
Could never one iota save,
Nor lift me from that grievous fall;
Insubstantial rubbish all!

Now all holy posturing done,
Left no swellling baosts, not one.
Vain this life, and dead, I find,
'Less I abide in Thee, O Vine.

Every moment, every day,
Crucified, O Lord, I pray;
Make my will to be Thine own,
Slain before Thy mercy throne.