Pig (1966)

My household has a pig

Although otherwise well provided

With father and mother, a dog, two cats, and three children

(The parrot died years ago),

He is called “Pig” simply and fits his name well

Being made of pigskin, but his shape improvised not stuffed:

He would be too horrible stuffed.

His ears are like a sow’s ears, large pointed and pendulous, or

Like the melted blades of Swahili spears.

He stands patiently under the piano

Attentive to receive some expected command

And ready to obey with cheerful alarcrity like any Able Seaman.

His eyes are square buttons, neatly folded also in pigskin, not

            very securely attached, but perceptive I am sure.

I think he is not a sow, because he has never farrowed

And because he is gentle with small people and not possessive

of the cats.

I brought him under my arm from London by air

In gay defiance of all airline and government regulations

(Not strictly accurate, but that’s how I like to think it was);

I think he enjoyed the flight as much as I did, even though he was

            leaving his own country.

He was designed to be used as a footstool or to be sat on, as is

            therefore worthy of respect.

From behind he looks as confident as an alderman certain of his

            constituency.

From long acquaintance now, of his patient and eager aspect as he stands

            on guard under the piano

Or occasionally ventures into the open at Christmas time or driven

            there for sweeping and cleaning,

I declare that he is a noble pig, an ornament to any household, worthy

            of affectionate esteem.