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At The Rich Man's Gate
[after Luke 16]
The rich man stepped outside his silvered doors
and stared hard at the beggar near the gate:
amazed, he watched his well-bred dogs' compassion
(not human, but humane in canine fashion)
as they licked foul pus from the beggar's sores.
The rich man shuddered with intense revulsion---
how could his dogs (without bribe or compulsion)
treat that poor wretch just like one of their pups?
His guests inside were making merry. Cups
were filled to brimming; and, upon the floor's
smooth tiles crumbs fell, spilling out of each plate.
The beggar died. The rich man, too: he burned
in Hell, alone, his plea for water spurned---
not one drop; and no one, longer, concerned.
Starward
[jlc]
