You lost yourself in puppy things.

And you saw me. You bore in mind

The clean and sunny things I felt

When, throwing hate along the wind,

I flashed the lantern at my belt.

The moment passed, and we returned

To barren words and old cold truth,

Yet in our hearts our lanterns burned,

We two had seen each other’s youth.

When filthy pain did wrap me round

Your upright ears I always saw,

And on my outflung hand I found

The blessing of your horny paw;

And yet—oh impotence of men—

My paw, more soft but not more wise,

Old friend, was lacking to you when

You looked your crisis in the eyes....

You shared my youth, oh faithful friend,

You let me share your puppyhood;

So, if I failed you in the end,

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