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I received a snap of Duke the Dog
in which Duke, in radiant atmosphere, stands
quintessentially dog-like:
   …..open-mouthed lolling tongue,
four-square
paws planted in green earth
…. .  expectant
poised to please          …..Christ-like
in halo mist  . silent    light     still
  …..aware

I’m yours, he barks, standing by;
throw that last stick now
before I mount this brilliant torch
and rise to sit at dad’s right paw:
my father, King, who ( tooth and claw)
salutes every risen pooch from
dog-heaven’s porch—
for though it’s mysteriously odd
dog spelled backward
is always god
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by Jim Culleny, Oct 2009