Maying

A bitter-sweet poem which I included in one of my pastoral collections. I guess not all pastorals are sweet-sweet.

Oh, to be maying this cool sun-snapped day,
Temperately faultless and fair.
Oh, to be roaming, this rare day in May ~
Oh, how I wish you were there.

Oh, to be with you as spring bids its bye
And as summer is saluted, yet still...
Oh, you were with me as often I try
To think of you out on the hill.

I remember you with me, faithful and true,
Oh you, how loyal and sound;
Alert when I whistled and ever, I knew
Oh you, a prince of a hound.

Oh, to be maying as memories awaken ~
But do I feel rain in the sky?
Not so, this May day, I must be mistaken;
Oh, 'tis the tear in my eye.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I recently lost a pet to cancer, she was 15 and just couldn't raise her head up anymore.
Yes, I felt rain...and it must have been my tears.
j.

[Alan S Jeeves]

I am sorry for your loss Jacob. I guess that this is the price we pay for all the good times we had with our friends.
It is now down to your fond memories of her to console you.
We have lost horses and dogs in the past though, my Golden Retriever was very special to me.

Kind regards, Alan

[Vertigo Cat1111]

This is a gorgeous, well written piece full of the brightest and prettiest imagery. I’m so sorry for the loss of your dog, I know the feeling. But you wrote a beautiful thing from you lost, putting so much positivity into a world that needs it. Animals are little angels and dogs are the goofiest of them! Always finding ways to make you smile. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful work.

[Alan S Jeeves]

Thanks for popping in to read of my 'Sam'. Your welcome review, VC, tells me that you properly understand the words which came to me and why I converted them into poetry.
Thanks
Kind regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Poignant write Alan. Your well written stanzas here, clearly show the love of a much loved and lamented dog. Yes man's best friend. Woman's too. I have Solo. She loves me unconditionally and makes that known to everyone else in our household :) Lovely poem.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

Great to hear you have a fantastic and clearly happy and contented canine Chris, I wonder if Solo is a Dachshund (so low). Anyhow, it is a very good name for your housemate.
I don't know if we should write poetry about our sad times or not. Poor Lord Byron lost his devoted Newfoundland, Boatswain, when the dog was aged just five years in 1808. He then wrote his famouse elegy 'Epitaph to a Dog'. He must have been very sad.
However, no imagination was required to write my piece - I was there.
I am pleased that you called it lovely though, you are quite generous.
Kind regards, Alan

[Alan S Jeeves]

I really meant famous elegy, pressed s & e at the same time with my clumsy typing.

[Chris Shaw]

I smiled at your little joke Alan. Solo is a boisterous ten year old blue staffy. She should be quietening down, but no she isn't. I must admit I wish at times she wasn't so lively, but she clearly adores me :) Your poem is lovely, because the relationship between you and your late canine was one of much affection. Yes it is a sad poem, but you can have sad and lovely hand in hand. Your work is a pleasure to read.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

Don't worry about your Solo being still boisterous at aged 10 Chris, I was just the same at her age!

Kind regards, Alan

[Alan S Jeeves]

I writ this 4x4 following the loss of my handsome (alas much more handsome than I) Golden Retriever 'Highbrea Suresam' (2002-2016) who lived and worked with me on the Yorkshire moorland. The first May (the wonderful beginning of spring/summer) following my loss, out on the moor without his noble company, I dreamed up this short tale, bitter-sweet yet truthful and sincere. I simply called it 'Maying'.