the mongrel man. . .

a lonesome howl was all they heard
when the mongrel man ran off
a cloud of blue was all they saw
of the fleeing philosophe

a fleeting glance was all he gave
when the aging freak took out
a haunting smile was all they got
when he left this wherabout

a long low laugh was all they heard
when he disappeared from sight
pages torn from the book of life
when the mongrel man took flight

a sudden chill was all they felt
when he closed the door behind him
his memory was all but lost
and the law would never find him

1977