Witch

The dog walks s.deways on his mistress' lead,

Straining to reach the kerb, or crouches at

A corner, coiling excrement, and that

Insistent maleness, that impulsive breed

Of smooth black dog illumines tales I read

Where some dark principle is loose among

Lonely old ladies and assumes their tongue,

Wriggling with malice and impatient seed.

This canine image is not true, I think:

A red-eyed devil at a stooping back

Sounds silly, but consider,-why should lack

Of company demand such heated breath?

For now the hound, whose eyes are moist and pink,

Presses his body to her wrinkled death.