I barked, and barked,
And danced and fetched the ball
And rolled on the sofa,
And ran behind her cycle-
She on wheels too went far, laughing.
And happy.
And she left school and married.
She would come in months
And stay for some days-
And again we would relive our days.
But not so far.
She was older and I was old.
And when I died
She cried
And buried
Me beside the wall.
Where poppies shed their leaves
And caress my erstwhile leash.
-4/2/2001, Calcutta- 63