At the lazy curl of smoke from the chimneys
His eyes further wandered over to the dew dampened meadows
And the sloping paths that ran round it
Over them how many times, he had rambled leisurely
With Jack, his spaniel that died a few months ago
Though single with no legacy to leave behind
Never before he felt so lonely as of late
And the memories of his dog keep haunting him.
One morning he found his dog lying stretched out
Alas! From that slumber he didn’t rise!
Now with nothing much to look forward to in life
He is in no hurry to leave his cottage as before
Each day of his life starts with the same ritual
Every day the old man would brew his tea
Pour it steaming into his large porcelain mug
And get settled on a chair by the table
Looking through the small window,
His main opening into the wider world
Sometimes from the pantry he would bring a can of biscuits
And munch a few along with his cup of tea
This, he did as an unfailing routine
When his dog Jack was with him!
Every morning the dog would be there at his feet
Its greedy eyes glued to the biscuits in his hand
When there was but just one left with him,
He would lift the biscuit right over the dog’s head
A cue for Jack to stand up and have his share
When it rises up wagging its tail in joy
Sometimes he would place his fore finger on his lips
And the dog discerning what its master meant
Would soon sit down obediently and remain quiet
When he got convinced that Jack took his orders,
He would hold the biscuit between his fingers.
When on its hind legs it rises, balancing into a waltzing step,
The biscuit would be dropped into its gaping mouth!
Now each day as he sips his tea
He sorely misses his dog and its pranks
It is the time when old memories stir up!
Now with a wave of deep regret,
He discerns, there is none to care for him
His world is so cold and he feels so lost
Once his dog shared his board and owned his bed
More than ever he missed him now
Who stood so faithful unto the last
With mist blurring his eyes and with a sigh
The old man once more looked into the meadows far away!