The Dog

The dog, serene,

Gazes out of his prison of skin

Perverted, monstrous like Humbaba of Sumerian myth,

Touched by man in all his wisdom.

Bred to perfection

And miserable.

Look upon our works;

The skull exquisite, squashed, choking,

Gasping for breath and dying for pedigree.

His roar is a flood,

Though we are not moved to pity,

And the gentle arching of his back,

Achieved over years of whipping and breeding

Has broken the subtle pride of wolves

And in its place the Master,

Godhead bound in human form

With its eyes that plan and the hands that shape

And a billion mouths all drunk on power

Reaching for the sun with gaping jaws,

Hungry for eternity and the throne of God.

Hail mankind in all its pride.

Hail.

Hail.

Hail.