For my Dog

Written in Memory 28 January 2013

One

Year

Ago

Almost to the hour

I wrote a poem

And, although I now forget its name,

It was one of the most important

I have ever written

Although it was private.

This poem I want public, very public,

As public as possible

Because I have shed my tears and

Paid my silent evenings cursing the stars

Given words of comfort

Now it's time to rejoice!

People, wake up!

She lived the

Most

Beautiful

Life

There has ever been, so why are we sad?

Why do we mourn her passing when

She couldn't care less?

She is a dog, for Heaven's sake!

She was loyal and curious and easily

Satisfied, hectic and guilty and constant;

My dog cared for humans and not for

Cats, shed her fur and didn't know

Why we sighed when we had to bend down

To pick it up, ran until her legs

Screamed with fire and didn't give a

Damn what danger lay ahead just so

Long as her humans kept safe close by

Rejoice!

My dog wagged and dog and scratched

My dog swam and begged and waited

My dog panted and whined and curled up

With her humans because that it all

There is to it, in truth, and she didn't

Think about it; she didn't have to

Think about it, she just did it

Because that's who she is

Spread the word!

Our time here is shorter for those

Who spend more time forgiving

Envy neither them nor any else,

For one day your time too shall arise

I wrote one year ago for her and

Me, but now I write for everyone

Who has been touched by someone

Passed, and, let's be honest, that's you,

So rejoice, my unknown friend, rejoice and

Create a better world in burgeoning memorium.

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Oh my, how did this poem go without a review? There are so many good poems on the Cafe that seem to get lost in the mix. I am so very, very glad I came to vote in the contest as I would have missed your very touching tribute to your beloved darling dog! As I am also a dog lover, this title caught my attention when I went to vote (and I have voted for it), and it is so, so good!!! I am sure your darling knows you wrote this as a tribute and is wagging a friendly tail for you, barking, "Yes, yes, yes"!

Good luck with the contest! I really hope you win!!!

This is going in my favorite file!!

[Different Wings]

Thank you so much for the kind words!
I, too, wonder why so many good pieces go unnoticed. I didn't mine were in that category, though, so thank you!
I'm glad to hear you're a dog lover as well. I hope to read some dog poetry of yours?

[Lindsey]

this is beautiful. So sweet. I understand the animal love, i have dogs myself. i love the way you portray the love for your dog, the feelings of not only you, but your dog too. Animals are the best! :)

[Craig2591]

You're right. Something we all experience. I recently lost a nineteen year old cat. Your poem reminds me of the good times we shared.