CHILDHOOD’S END
Once he was a puppy small
As cute as cute could be
Children loved him one and all
As everyone could see.
Soon he grew to adulthood
So helpful to be directed
Guarding as a good dog should
All property as selected.
He grew old and ailing
With childhood left behind
All love and caring paling
By dark cares of adult kind.
Neglected deaf and lame
Strayed on the railway track
Unheard the noisy train
Was death so very black?
The punctual train no outrage
As death disposed so cleanly
Of the inconvenience of age
And incontinence so unseemly.
Guilt caused memories to awake
Returning back to when
Childhood lacked all heartbreak
And caring was easier then.
©
Margaret Pearce