A Tolerated Pet

It followed you through life
Like a mangy dog
Down an empty street
Head lowered
Ribs exposed
Hip bone protruding
Through mottled coat
Like a blunt instrument
Following at a safe distance
Sniffing the air
For a whiff of hope

GIDOUDAVITT!

It drops behind a corner
Scampers away behind some bin
Tail between sinewy legs
And cowers a while longer
Circling itself in fear
While you turn and stride away
When you turn
You see hungry eyes
Head begin to lift
It wont stop following
So, you think
He might as well become to you
Like a kind of friend
Like a tolerated pet.