Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
No need for Best of Breed –
One black dog or another
Is good for such slight deed;
To wait for leash and collar
Patient by the door –
Until the so-called Master
Gets what you’re waiting for.
Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
To let your dewlap droop –
To never be caught growling
Or thinking “What a dupe”;
Instead look up, adoring,
In admiration lost,
Give him what he thinks his due
No matter what the cost.
Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
Become that Sisyphus
Who seeks to dissolve ego,
And self-regard nonplus;
And when you think he’s got it
And his awareness heightened,
He backslides to the valley
Of the unenlightened.
Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
Not for Teacup nor for Toy
But show them that a working dog
In his work finds naught but joy;
To run and fetch and carry,
To herd the wandering sheep
Back to the home pen’s safety
While the shepherd’s fast asleep.
Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
For the White Man’s usual pay:
Fed on thoughtless afterthoughts
And kicked out of the way –
Reviled with foulest language
For faithful service long
And for your true devotion
To those who do you wrong.
Take up the Black Dog’s burden –
And seek no recompense;
The dominant dimwit species
To give such lacks the sense.
Hear, rather, from your fellows
The ever-swelling chord
Of comradely approval –
Let that be your reward.
