Old Grey Dog Poem by cahen thrips

This dog with mange shadows me everywhere;
I try to shake him off but he's determined
to stray into my life.

He wants to be friends but I don't know
how to include him - how to make him part
of my unlit fractured being.

Without encouragement he stares at me
with accusing eyes as if he knows what I
dare not admit of myself.

Perhaps he has some ultimate evil intent,
to dog my tread around the marsh until I fall -
then I fear he'll devour me.

If I try to shoo him away with angry words
he'll stand his ground with propeller tail,
waiting for my fury to abate.

The truth is I want him to stay with me for
though he signals dismal prospects of my future,
without him I'll be alone.

May 2023