Bandit, a Dog

We started with a bump
When I ran into
a black and white bundle of bark, bark, bark
the day after Mardi Gras
He ran under a car and growled defiance at the world
still feisty after a week of dodging cars, floats,
... and drunks.
Abandoned by someone who didn't appreciate
what true love is worth
even from a puppy without pedigree.
Donna coaxed him home with a slab of cheese
Once comfortable
he tried to lick my face off
He's like that
Suspicious, defiant,
and soft in the middle
I named him Bandit at first sight
and now he spends all his waking hours
convincing me how right I was
The missing platter of barbecued shrimp
A garlic roast, a whole freaking roast,
vanished as if stolen by aliens
during a ten minute trip to the post office
But when he cast those big browns on you
in pure doggy adoration
You know if you died in the next minute
you would be mourned unto death
by one who loved you more.
Dogs are like that
unconditional.

- Charlie Smith, American Poet and Advocate for the Arts
 

FOR BANDIT

Lost, I am lost.
I don’t know what to do

Bandit turns those big browns on me
Why can’t I walk
Why can’t I play as I used to
Why does food not stay with me

I love food
especially treats
They just don’t stay with me anymore
My legs don’t work
Why is that
You know everything, don’t you

You have my trust
my love
Why can’t you fix me

I've been your friend
are you still mine?

I hold his head and the tongue which once lashed my face
licks feebly
I know it is time

But I don’t want it to be

Lost, I am lost.

- Charlie Smith, American Poet and Advocate for the Arts

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Posted February 1 , 2005