His Name Was Magsaysay (2)

Indeed...for by some divine command,
At noon--rain or shine, he'd be there--
Outside the school gate--waiting, and
Then, we'd walk home together.
One stormy night, he barked at me,
And I knew why. He was cold and so afraid...
And I hugged him until he fell asleep,
And as always, beside me--on my bed.
One morning, he disappeared--not
Without a trace. I found him just
Three houses away--on a dining table
Being "shared" by five drunken animals
In tattered shirts and trousers.
I waged war. And I cried a river...
"My God, my God, why has
Thou forsaken me?" And then,
I DIED A THOUSAND DEATHS.