My Boyhood Dog

I came across this poem the other day and thought I'd share it with you all. I think it's about as sad as they come.

My Boyhood Dog

Boxer, my boxer,
where do you lie?
Somewhere under
a Poona sky.
Ah! my canine,
total joy
you were to me
when as a boy
we coursed the wind
and ran the while,
no end in sight,
mile after mile.
I was to you
and you to me
locked in bond
eternally.
They never told me
when you died
to spare me pain
in case I cried.
So then to
those adult fears
denied you then,
my childhood tears.

1st April '85
Spike Milligan