Poem by Elinor Wylie

* * *

"Children and dogs are subject to my power,"
You said, and smiled, and I beside you smiled,
Perceiving my unwisdom of a child,
My courage of a wolf new-taught to cower:
Upon the grass, beneath the falling flower,
I saw my spirit silent and beguiled
Standing at gaze; a brute no longer wild;
An infant wearied by the difficult hour.

And am I not your child who has come home?
And am I not your hound for faithfulness?
Put forth your hand, put forth your hand to bless
A creature stricken timorous and dumb,
Who now regards you with a lover's eyes
And knows that you are merciful and wise.

1. Would I Might Make Subliminal My Flesh
2. I Have Believed That I Prefer to Live
3. Now Am I Orson to Your Valentine
4. Now Shall the Long Homesickness Have an End
5. The Pekingese

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