A black dog follows me,
No collar nor a lead,
Its form I can not measure,
Of undetermined breed.
A black dog followed me,
My step a merry gait,
Then it left me quite alone,
I pondered not its fate.
A black dog followed me
It disappeared a while
But it did return again
When I had gone a mile.
A black dog follows me,
My companion I'll ignore,
My tread a steady onward march,
My eyes fixed to the fore.
A black dog follows me,
It matters not what pace.
My steps are clear upon the path,
Its paws, they leave no trace.
A black dog follows me,
No others on the road.
No muse, companion, mentor, friend,
I've none to share my load.
A black dog follows me,
Like a shadow by my side.
Storm clouds dim my path.
But it will not be my guide.
A black dog follows me,
Nipping at my heel.
Anxiety eats me from within.
I question what is real.
A black dog follows me,
No interest in my tears.
With hollow smile it follows me
And catalogues my fears.
A black dog follows me.
Steeper grows the grade.
My resolution falters,
My strength begins to fade.
A black dog follows me,
Though it will not choose my end.
I set my face into the wind,
My sanity to defend.
A black dog follows me.
I know I must resist.
I will not, must not, yield to him
I know I must persist
A black dog follows me.
Before me is my goal.
Silent prayers I send above,
My Lord to keep me whole
A black dog follows me.
And though the road does rise,
Onwards I intend to go
Until I reach the prize.
2012
Very good poem, well written - you may like to read mine entitled The Shadow which I suspect has similar meaning.
Black dog is what Winston Churchill called the periodic depression to which he was prone. Same metaphor?
greg, well, is it temptation or depression or something else i wonder. (see previous comments by other readers) i don't really care what it is; i enjoyed the poem enough to send it to my poemlist. thanks for sharing. i liked the change from followed to follows. bri p.s. i always enjoy good rhymes.
A lovely poem- -I guess the black dog is temptation- -and not yielding to it until you reach the prize - heaven. Very nice- -reminds what my grandpa would always say I will not, must not, yield to him I know I must persist ++10 regards Anjali
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Good poem Greg. I wrote one called 'Depression' which, I guess, is what yours is about - or something similar.