Stupid Dog - Black Saturday 2009 Poem by Jeff Hobbs

There was a dog
A stupid dog
I saw it lying there with eyes
That read my soul
questioning eyes
'Did it have to be now? What is happening?
Is today the day? '
I saw it ripped open yet still alive
It screamed but was now silent
Its eyes spoke all that needed to be said
I saw its owner hold it close
Remembering all that needed to be remembered
Calming those eyes
Without words saying 'Yes it is now, you are dying
Today is the day'
I heard the shot
A dull crack
While all around us stormed
With smoke and flames and torment
A dull crack finalised the day
Defined the day
And we left without words to say
Knowing that stupid dog was wiser than any of us.

(February 14,2011)