Robert William Service (Роберт Уильям Сервис)
Pooch
Nurse, won't you let him in? He's barkin' an' scratchen' the door, Makin' so dreffel a din I jest can't sleep any more; Out there in the dark an' the cold, Hark to him scrape an' whine, Breakin' his heart o' gold, Poor little pooch o' mine. Nurse, I was sat in ma seat In front o' the barber shop, When there he was lickin' ma feet As if he would never stop; Then all of a sudden I see That dog-catcher moseyin' by: "Whose mongrel is that?" says he; "It's ma pedigree pup," says I. Nurse, he was starved an' a-stray, But his eyes was plumbful o' trust. How could I turn him away? I throwed him a bit o' a crust, An' he choked as he gluped it up, Then down at ma feet he curled: Poor little pitiful pup! Hadn't a friend in the world. Nurse, I was friendless too, So we was makin' a pair. I'm black as a cast-off shoe, But that li'le dog didn't care. He loved me as much as though Ma skin was pearly an' white: Somehow dogs seem to know When a man's heart's all right. Nurse, we was thick as thieves; Nothin' could pry us apart, An' now to hear how he grieves Is twistin' a knife in ma heart. As I worked at ma shoe-shine stand He'd watch me wi' eyes o' love, A-wigglin' an' lickin' ma hand Like I was a god above. Nurse, I sure had no luck That night o' the rain an' then fog; There was that thunderin' truck, And right in the way; ma dog. Oh, I was a fool, I fear; It's harder to think than to feel... I dashed in, flung the pup clear, But; I went under the wheel... Nurse, it's a-gittin' dark; Guess ma time's about up: Don't seem to hear him bark, Poor, broken-hearted pup!... Why, here he is, darn his skin! Lickin' ma face once more: How did the cuss get in? Musta' busted the door. God, I'm an ol' black coon, But You ain't conscious o' race. I gotta be goin' soon, I'll be meetin' You face to face. I'se been sinful, dice an' hooch, But Lordy, before I die I'se a-prayin': "Be good to ma pooch"... That's all; little mutt, good-bye.
Robert William Service’s other poems:
905
