I’m a lean dog, a keen dog,
A wild dog and lone;
I’m a rough dog,
Hunting on my own;
I’m a bad dog, a mad dog,
Teasing silly sheep;
I love to sit and bay the moon
To keep fat souls from sleep.
I’ll never be a lap dog, licking dirty feet,
A sleek dog, a meek dog,
Cringing for my meat,
Not for me the fireside, the well- filled plate,
But shut the door, and sharp stone,
And cuff and kick and hate.
Not for me the other dogs,
Running by my side,
Some having fun a short while,
But none of them would bide.
Oh, mine is still the lone trail,
The hard trail, the best,
Wide wind, and wild stars,
And hunger of the quest!
IRNE RUTHERFORD MCLEOD
Sleek : smooth and glossy
Meek : gentle; quiet
Cuff : to hit someone quickly and lightly
