Author Information
WORTHLESS THING
He came limping from nowhere, one hot summer day
an old skinny thing
just an old homeless stray
and he was really mine, cause my Daddy said
he had long floppy ears
a wagging tail
always wanting to be fed
big sad brown eyes
and he was male
I named him Worthless
for he just slept and ate
he never barked at strangers
when they came
My Daddy would look at him and say
I don't know why you keep him
the worthless thing
he kept us up all night
on each full moon
sitting in the back yard, by his dog house
just baying his old mournful hound dog tune
and prettys oon all the neighbors dogs
were howling just like him
and Ma who could not sleep, would say
just listen to that worthless thing
that howling is a sin
But I sure loved old Worthless
and he really did love me
and even Dad had to admit it
for it was so plain to see
and he sure loved it
when I'd go out and sit by him
he'd put hi paw on my knee
and lick my chin
Once he found a baby rabbit
t'was lost and hungry and so sweet
and old Worthless gently picked him up
brought him to me
and laid him at my feet
I kept that little bunny
i loved him too, but Daddy said
now you got two worthless things
we have to feed
but I saw a little smile
cross Daddy's face
I hoped he'd be ok and it wouldn't crack
I'd never seen him smile
for he was a solomn man of steady pace
But one day I heard the squealing of loud brakes
out in the street
and I ran and saw in horror
old Worthless lying motionless
at some strangers feet
and Oh, I cried and cried, it broke my heart
for this stranger said
he saved my little boy's life
but now old Worthless lay there dead
And then I saw Daddy come running with
dread and surprise, to this horrid place
where old Worthless lies
and he picked him up so gently
and I saw a tear trickle slowly down his face
Well, now old Worthless has gone
where all good dogs will go
there to the' Rainbow Bridge'
where all the moon flowers grow
We buried him that afternoon, out in our back yard
along side the old magnolia tree
and oh, my heart was broken and so sad
and I didn't know, but Dad had made a sign
and on it was the name 'WONDERFUL" not Worthless
and now it comes to mind
that Daddy of the unsmiling face and solomn eyes
My Daddy
was really soft hearted and most kind
It's been a long time now
but I still think of old Worthless
with a fond remembering heart
and I know one day, not far away
I'll go to meet him at the 'Rainbow Bridge"
where once more he will
give me his paw and lick my chin
cause I know he waits for me
and we will never have to be part again
