Who Is Happier? Poem by Zubiya Surti

In the twilight of an beautiful eve
When the Sun is delicious red,
Comes a poodle for a walk
Along the river bed.

The poodle's eye catches upon
A stray dog with a bone,
Comes and talks with the dog
With cold looks and a sarcastic tone.

Says the poodle'My friend, dear
I feel sympathized
the way you suck that sort of thing
makes my heart agonize'.

'you wonder and roam here and there,
with hopes that you may find
to fill your empty tummy with
food of some ugly kind'.

'My master's place I do dwell,
offers me a splendid meal
chicken stew and egg muffin,
with sausage rolls to deal.

When the sky's dark and clouds burst out
I have shelter over my head,
But friend you drench all that eve
Along this river bed.

Friend, its fate that's all I say
that you breathe such a breath,
Indeed to live such a life
Is worse that to attain death.'

The poor dog listens silently
And being the least disturbed,
looks up to the poodle
and asks if that's what he heard

Says He the poor thing....

'Brother look at your shoulder,
That collar is no better than a boulder
you're tied up dear, always
when you eat, walk, bark, run or laze.

I have the sky walking with me,
In free air I do breathe
My life may be tough as you see,
But that doesn't matter and am happy,
As I have no one controlling me
I am glad that I am free'.