I watched a little dog die today
In grief for one no longer by his side,
He laid his head down gently on his paws
and died.

I watched him as long hours turned to days,
And days to months and months in turn go by,
I watched him stand, head drooping,
And wait in vain for steps
No longer heard upon the stair,
I watched him taste and snuff the air
For odors only he had known.

I watched his grief turn to despair,
More poignant still because he could not cry.
Today I watched a little dog die
Unable to span that deep,
Wide gulf between - and say goodbye.

George W. Martin
4483 Lindell Blvd, Apt 1134
St. Louis, Mo. 63108