I’ve lost my black dog
with his Anubis ears
edged with gold  

his iron-studded collar
his lean flanks  

You’re welcome to him
new owner
whoever you are  

Beware of him
lying alert at your feet
guarding you  

night and day
whether you want him to
or not  

watchful hound
sentinel of melancholy  

Every walk you take with him
is miles of salted fields
and charred trees  

He's the most silent of dogs
the heart's jackal  

Lucky me
I’ve lost my black dog
who never loved me  

who tracked me down for sport
used my house as his kennel for years  

Beware
new owner
That black dog is never going to be