Laika, three-year-old street dog, tough
And hardy from surviving Russian frosts, white,
Pretty-faced – chosen for propaganda and TV feeds –
Put through gruelling, cruel even, training, learned
To submit to a tiny cage, suffer rough
Shaking and centrifuge forces, was judged the right
Calm temperament for Sputnik’s untested speeds.
But innocent, trusting little Laika earned
A terrible place in history. Not enough
To be first to circle and to log the first sight
Of earth: the first space death must needs
Be added – no more water, and rising heat turned
The cabin into hell. In her three orbits, and slow
Immolation, did Laika bark for Moscow snow?
(25.1.26) v 1.3
