Stray Dog

He who is born in the ruthless streets of a busy city I am without a home A family Nor a companion I am all alone My homes differ from time to time Abandoned houses, alleys anywhere the streets welcomes me I am at the mercy of the changing weather Every day is a battlefield for survival A gruesome cycle I only wish a good Samaritan may extricate me from My matted fur is an infestation of ticks and fleas I have grown accustomed to them to the point where I consider them my family A fetid odor you may sense That might be me passing by, turn a blind eye if you don’t mean well Please don’t charge at me My weary bones have had enough for one day Skinny as a toothpick I make do with the leftovers you throw into the bin The little I can find to see another sunrise is more than enough I could cave in and just die in an alleyway somewhere No one wouldn’t even feel a void of my passing But my hope to one day have a place where I can belong Gives me the willpower to strive to see another dawn To those who have shown me kindness And only received a bark in return Forgive me It isn’t because of hatred It is because of my leery, dubious and fearful nature It is the only way I learnt how to survive I am yet to trust the hands that have shown me no mercy countless times I only ask you be patient with me Be gentle with me until I no longer quiver at your touch Until I can learn how to love and how to receive love When that happens, I promise you my unequivocal love and loyalty Just please don’t give up on me