A Dog's Life Poem by DR KUSUMITA MUKHERJEE

A raggedly mongrel
Sprawled on the wet grass
Eyes half closed
Tongue lolling over his canines
Breath rhythmic
Such peace!

My feet have not stopped
Alert sentinels since dawn.
They are bearing my weight even now
Also the weight of the bag that pains my shoulder
Still have unfinished chores.

Dirty dishes waiting in the sink
Notebooks dreading corrections
Vegetables asleep in the cold chamber
Unaware of their impending slaughter at my hands.
But the puppy sleeps unhindered
So complacent.