The Street Dogs Poem by Jayita Basak

It is 2 AM and the dim street
That I can see standing on my porch Is under the black footprints of street light
Thats too full of dullnes.
No human, no other sign of light,
Silent leaves and pond says
How woebegone one feels like those. 'What happened eh? ', I asked to the pack of dogs
Barking aloud at this time.
They did not reply me
But kept barking as if they have seen Some vexed souls than themself.
'Tiger come here yeh, ' I called my chummy one
Whom I give food and sometimes I ruffle his head
Or tap his jaws pleasantly and in return he respects it. I love him.
They are better than humans.
They do not know how to cheat, betray or dishonour.
They leave only after death.
His black and tint breed makes him different.
His eyes are full of love and hate.
Love for me that I can see and hate for them who can't.
'I understand you my love.
Come on eat this bread', I said.
He hugs me sometimes. It feels good. It makes my spine strong.
And sometimes when I go out alone, He follows me till I reach home safely. What is this? Is not this love?
But today he has joined the pack and he is barking too.
I think I must quiet them. Wait a minute.
'Tiger, eh Shhh... Come here.
Eat these crackers'
(Crackers are broken into fragments like my world)

-Jayita Basak