'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

05 August 2012

Sunday Kipling

For Chrisi. Our hearts may be torn but our memories of her will live on all the days of our lives.
Six

"The Power of the Dog"

"GARM -- A HOSTAGE" -- ACTIONS AND REACTIONS
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 hat 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?

6 comments:

agirlandhergun said...

Ahh, what a beautiful read.

Sarge said...

Wonderful thanks Six, I'll be seeing you in a few days.

instinct said...

saw this, thought of you

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=31323

Six said...

Thanks girl. It fit her so well.

Thanks Pop. See you soon.

Thanks Instinct. I think Kipling would have approved.

NotClauswitz said...

By my desk I have a picture of our dog who has been gone 33 years...

Six said...

They never really leave us Dirt. Chrisi came home from the crematorium today. She up on the mantle with Trooper. Where they will always be.