amicus fidelis, protectio fortis

(faithful friend, strong protector)

anput

in times long past was it your image carved in stone
your graven form on temples and urns protecting bones
your canine profile in sleek beauty dutifully deified?

did your wise eyes observe the dead slide between the realms
your head in watchful stillness
carved to guard the paths that to eternity once led?

oh I see how they could worship you, small goddess of my heart
not death you hold, not death -
your fragile breath
still proof to me of your everliving worth.