The Love Song of the Palace Hound

Beneath the jasmine vines he came each night

to stare into the surface of the pond

and howl into the water’s shifting light.

Perhaps tonight his lover would respond?

It’s said that every dog shall have his day.

To have one night had always been his wish.

Before you sympathise, I ought to say:

this foolish dog was smitten with a fish!

He’d seen her from high on the palace keep;

A golden mote that flashed bright as the sun.

Since then he didn’t eat, he couldn’t sleep.

He knew she was his Queen, his bitch, his One.

He never actually saw her pretty face.

Just tiny bubbles she left in her wake,

the arabesques her little fins would trace,

a star map of each movement she might make.

He gazed at these with magic in his eyes

and every time he saw them gave a bark.

Where you’d see nothing, he saw her replies;

a raging fire where there was no spark.

One honeysuckled night he thought he saw

a slender golden fin beckon to him

then, eagerly, he struck out from the shore

despite the fact he knew he could not swim.

That’s right. You’re right if you now fear the worst.

This romance has no happy epilogue.

His heart so full of love he thought he’d burst,

down into darkness sank the shaggy dog.

So ends The Love Song of the Palace Hound

who tried to kiss a koi and so was drowned.

This stupid tale might leave you wanting more.

Please understand it’s just a metaphor.