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I’m a lean dog, a keen dog, a wild dog, and lone;
I’m a rough dog, a tough 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 door, and sharp stone, and cuff and kick, and hate.
Not for me the other dogs, running by my side,
Some have run a short while, but none of them would bide.
O mine is still the lone trail, the hard trail, the best,
Wide wind, and wild stars, and hunger of the quest!
This poem is in the public domain.
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Irene Rutherford McLeod (1891 - 1968), was born in Croydon, Surrey, England, to a British father and a Swiss mother. In 1919, she married Aubrey de Sélincourt, a writer and schoolmaster, and they lived in London for most of their years together. Irene wrote three books of verse and at least one published short story. Interesting side note: Aubrey was a brother-in-law of A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh. One of the Sélincourts’ two daughters, Lesley, married Milne’s son, Christopher Robin.
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Monsai:
To hvacradiodoc: Scary stuff. Same age as you, and I also recited this at some time in primary school. Love the rhythm, cadence and impact of the well-chosen words. For some reason, it found its way out of my deep memory into my thoughts recently....
Posted 09/12/2023 01:29 AM
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hvacradiodoc:
Jim C.
I recited this poem for extra credit in my sophomore English class. Don't know where I found it, but loved it from the start and still remember it today some 63 years ago.
Posted 07/20/2023 03:59 AM
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William:
My father recited this at a school concert maybe 70 years ago and there was a ripple of laughter because my father was the quintessential lean dog. He would perform it for us from time to time.
Posted 06/05/2022 08:15 PM
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Longjon582:
Like Drak Cross, I memorized this in the 5th grade 66 years ago. Now that I have a couple of big dogs it crosses my mind more frequently. Maybe in a way wishing for that freedom ourselves.
Posted 04/22/2022 06:51 PM
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SleepyTurtle:
I remember it from school 55 years ago. English living in Scotland at the time so I related to it in a big way.
The only poem I ever remembered in full to this day.
Posted 02/26/2015 09:44 PM
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Drak Cross:
When i was in 5th grade i picked this poem because i felt drawn to it . I still do feel drawn back to it when im alone and sad. W ell i love it !!!!
Posted 07/25/2014 03:55 PM
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