I am a lonely dog, so aged and worn,
Barks long gone and an ear torn.
Chained to a post, I have always been here,
to face all alone my sorrow and fear.

Respite from the loneliness may come by,
When strangers from near and far come and say hi.
They may notice this old pooch and say,
"Poor dog. I'll give some company and stay."

They would pat my head and rub my side,
And give me some treats when I open my mouth wide.
But alas, they must eventually bid farewell,
And leave me to return to my lonely hell.

Though worn and old, this old dog dreams,
That one day my chains will be broken at the seams;
By strangers who would not just leave me like a gnome,
By strangers, so kind and warm, to take me home.

To take me away from the post and the chain,
Into a house that can shelter me from the rain.
To comfort and play with me as times fly,
To miss and mourn me in the day that I die.

Alas, such dreams may never be,
But hope always stays with me.
Hope that I will be free from here,
That I will no longer have sorrow and fear...