Remains of a Dog Have Been Found

Remains of a dog have been found,

in this ground that used to be a fortress.

No-one can guess if he was stoned or drowned,

or sent to a kennel outside

and never collected forever.

There he remains, on his side, at rest,

last known to have woofed

two thousand years ago,

when there were no lamposts to mark,

though mayne he desecrated the palisade

of some Pennine potentate’s

 real estate.

‘Some bloody watch dog you,’

(I can hear him rant in

red faced proto P-Celt rage)

‘Let them Romans waltz right in,

wagging your bloody stumpy tail.’

And off with its head, he went.

Or maybe not.

 

Remains of a dog unearthed,

pedigree beloved deer hound

of a northern Prince,

which wailed like a bard

when he met his match,

felled at the blood ford,

in single combat,

and went for his killer,

without remorse,

tearing out his throat.

 

Remains of a dog brought to light.

in life, Dumno offered three shields

for the noble beast,

only animal on four legs or two

that would dare to look him

in the eye.

When he would not accept

refusal and grew enraged,

a glare from this wolf spawn

was enough to still him.

 

Remains of a dog have been found,

flat where he panted last,

hourglass and totem

of the tribe departed,

growling against eternal rest,

best beloved guardian of

the round house hovels,

that stayed as ordered

when all the people went,

shadow in the fells,

till this day they found him.