Yeah, yeah, I know.

I loved this poem ever since I first read it in Reading Roundup when I was in elementary school. Obviously, since I've memorized it, LOL. There's something about those last two lines that always got to me even when I wasn't old enough yet to fully grasp the concept of independence.

The title and imagery might not sound so good in today's world, however. Especially if I applied the poem to myself. But whatever. This poem is still so great.



Lone Dog
Irene Rutherford McLeod

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!

====================================================


Mag-isang Aso
Halaw ni Laya kay Irene Rutherford McLeod

Ako'y balingkinitang aso, alistong aso, mailap na aso, at nag-iisa
Ako'y magaspang na aso, matatag na aso, nangangasong mag-isa
Ako'y masamang aso, baliw na aso, nanunudyo ng uto-utong tupa
Mahilig umupo't umalulong sa buwan, upang di hayaang matulog ang matatabang diwa.

Hindi ako kailanman magiging asong kandungin, na dumidila sa maruruming paa
Isang makinis na aso, maamong aso, sumusukot para sa aking ulam
Hindi para sa akin ang tabi ng kalan, ang umaapaw na plato
Kundi saradong pinto, at matalas na bato, at suntok, at sipa, at pagkamuhi.

Hindi para sa akin ang iba pang mga asong tumatakbo sa aking tabi,
Mayroong ilang sasama ng maikling panahon, ngunit wala sa kanilang tumatagal
Akin pa rin ang landas na nag-iisa, ang landas na mahirap, ang pinakamagaling,
Malawak na hangin, at mailap na bituin, at ang pananabik sa paghahanap!