WHAT SHALL BE YOUR NAME? (tender joy)

Unmetered Rhyming Quatrains (one dusted-off from the archives you might still enjoy)

WHAT SHALL BE YOUR NAME?

by: Richard W. Jenkins ~ ©1999

.//, ///`

Lonely one eve, she sat by her window,

wishing for sun, 'stead of cold, wretched rain.

Aye, as dreadful dark spread o'er

came a low, mournful refrain.

·//`///,/

"Mere twist in imagination," said she.

"Tis but rain and wind’s playful trick."

Bright bolts pierce the darkening-grey sky;

then, came a faint….click, clickety-click!

./ ·

Playful swaying branch outside at the wall;

perchance, but a loose shutter’s latch pin,

Lost again in cloaked-silent thought,

"Ah, there it is! I’ve heard it again!"

·.

Disquiet grips at the uncertain heart;

haphazard images emerge amidst fear.

Sounds emit from outside a front-door;

"What diabolical creature is here?!"

`/'

Carefully, cautiously, ear to the door,

hope rivaled against this uneasy lark.

Curiosity’s tout satisfied at last, as....

the door emitted a faint little, "Bark!"

// ‘`,//

Now, all caution tossed carelessly aside,

the flung opened door unveiled its surprise;

a small, wet lump of pointy-eared fur…

pink little tongue, with brown, trusting eyes.

`, .‘

In that moment, revealing needs bonded both;

questions and answers became all the same.

Whisked gently to her welcoming warm breast….

she enquired softly, “What Shall Be Your Name?”

  // //// ///

~’~`’~`’`’

 

Author's Comments:

"An elderly friend had just recently lost her 22 year-old dog,

and this wonderfully-magical thing happened to her!"

Author's Note

Please, feel free to offer helpful suggestions and critique! : )

Reviews

[kitty]

Somewhere out there midst sadness and loss there is hope in store for the aching heart. How it comes is sometimes a mystery. I feel the emotions conjured up in this piece. Different style put across in this tender piece. No questions asked.. 'she' was 'gifted' ...and rightly so! This piece captured the readers imagination... was able to empathize. thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, too, Dear Kitty, for another of your always sweetly thoughtful reviews to my humble poetic efforts.
I knew, if anyone, it would be You (with your tender heart) who could relate to this sentimental little story poem.

Hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard : )

[kitty]

We humans can sometimes find an affinity with animal 'friends' lasting a lifetime...when they depart this life it tears the heartstrings. Far from humble your pieces dear Sir!

[Cherrie]

What a delightful poem. I really enjoyed this unmetered show of friendship.

[Richard🖌]

Sooo, Lady Cherrie 🌸

You've stumbled across this olde heart-squeezer, eh?

How happy your presence and words make me … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Rye]

What a sweet write here, So heart touching as well.

[Richard🖌]

Why, thank you, Ryanna! : )
I am so very thrilled you found favor in this rather sentimentally tender piece.

Hugs 'n blessings! ⁓ Richard

[Jade]

This is heart touching, very well written sincere write. nicely presented & ever so emotional

[Richard🖌]

Big SMILE!
Aw, Brandie, I kew you'd enjoy this one … it has that special soft touch that seeps tenderly into the heart.
Thank you sincerely for reading, for your praise, and wonderfully expressed enjoyment.

You've brought sunshine to my day! ⁓ Richard : )

[Samuel Dickens]

What a sweet and heartwarming story. We fall so in love with our pets, even though we know their lives aren't so long. Great poetry from one of this site's real poets.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Sam!
Here the site goes, not letting me know I have a review. Sometimes it's half a year before I stumble across 'em.
How very true, My Friend … we know from the beginning our hearts will be broken, often swearing, "Never again!" But, when we look into those hopeful eyes, who can resist?

Thank you for a lovely review …many happy blessings! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

I’m not sure what happened to my first review but see another below.
P.S. i once had a Jack Russell named Tami Jo, she lived to be 19 years old ... - I could never replace her. ❤️ MJ

[Richard🖌]

The site does, sometimes, have a way of eating things and failing to inform of reviews and messages.
I know you and Tami Jo will never forget each another. : )

Thanks for sharing! ⁓ Richard

[heavenscentgirl1]

As always, your words have touched the hearts of many. This piece was written by a very tender hearted man and I’m glad that you dug it out of the archives to share with us.
When I look at the picture I see a little Rascal and feel that is a perfect name for that little sweetie.
He’s alittle scruffy but has proven that he’s a fighter for life and should be loved and will most definitely give love in return.
Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story with us and I hope that Rascal is still alive and well these days. 💖.
You haven’t lost your touch Richard , Mary Jo

[Richard🖌]

Why, thank you, Mary Jo! : )
I agree, age does nothing for poetry, except improve its bouquet.
Rascal would have been a great name, but she named him Sport … he's already passed away, and she said, "No more dogs!" But, she now has a fat calico cat, named Missy.

Sweetest day to thee! ⁓ Richard : )

[heavenscentgirl1]

You are very welcome Richard. I’m sorry that Sport is no longer with your friend Angie, but I’m sure there was alot of love shared between the two. 👍

[steppenwolf]

Dogs are a gift from nature and God and what would we do without them?
S.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so much for reading this rather nostalgic piece, and for leaving your comments.
read moreThank you so much for reading this rather nostalgic piece, and for leaving your comments.

What, indeed?
Blessings! ⁓ Richard

[Einstein Noodle]

dog lover i am sir ..loved this read ...well done ...i think you are spot on your rhythm and rhyming talent and the story telling is troubling then touching and warm ..absolutely love this one Richard .. and i am so happy for your friend who went from the lost to the found bin ... God bless!
E.
ps. 22 years!!!!!!!!!!! wow ... an incredible life for our furry friends ...
pss. the troubling part reads as a Poe poem .. i heard the clickety click ..tweeking my terror and run button ;O

[Richard🖌]

Yes, Gene,
Angie, a longtime widow friend, whose husband, John (though, considerably older than I), was one of my best friends. Just before John died, he gave Angie a Jack Russell Terrier pup she named, Toby. He did live an exceptionally long time, but he was well taken care of, loved, and doted-on every day of his life. I never seen anyone mourn more deeply and truly than Angie when Toby finally took his last breath. He always slept with her, and when he could no longer jump-up on the bed, she had carpeted steps built he could walk up, until she had to carry him to bed.
Angie had a cat, named Zap, that lived for 17-years.
This new pup came at the perfect time for them both. I have not spoken to Angie in years, and I don't recall what she named this mutt, but I am sure he's gone to doggy heaven by now, too, and she's not far behind.

Amazing, sometimes, what will inspire a poem, eh?
Blessings, My Friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Einstein Noodle]

yes it is ...the loss makes grown men cry ... one Saturday afternoon i stopped at my favorite watering hole after working construction a hot half day ... only one other guy was there... at the bar .. i sat a comfortable one stool away and order a beer ... within minutes he told me of the loss of his dog ... weeping uncontrollably ... he needed to let it out ... still affects me today as i am recalling it ... we love our pets .. they sometimes are closer than family .. you should give her a call perhaps ;)

[Richard🖌]

Thanks, Gene,
I called and spoke with Angie yesterday … she did not sound so great … she fell and hurt her right hip and elbow.
Her little rescue dog (she named Sport) has passed-away, and she swore no more dogs; though, she now has a very fat calico cat, named Missy.
Once an animal lover........ : )

[Einstein Noodle]

saying my prayers for her and Missy ...i bet she feels glad that you called ..tho she fell and was hurt .. "the fall" becomes a gorging beast the older we get .. i am very aware of my bad knee and dizzy brain when i walk talk and eat cookies at the same time ;{

[Richard🖌]

Ha-hahhh!
I'm sure my time will come, Gene … just a matter of time.
Angie was happy I called (I think), because she was sniffling when we said goodbye … I read her the poem again, too.

[Einstein Noodle]

your a good man Charlie Brown :) i'll lift me daily pint to ya ...good on ya sir!!

[Closed]

Wow! this is so magestic! the words really flow off the paper! this is really good richard! i love this peice!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you for reading this one, and for your pat's on the head review! ⁓ Richard

[john l smith]

that is a lovely recollection of an unhappy/happy event.
Personally, I have a character flaw that does not enable me to exist without my special pooch pet permanently attached either to my hip or elsewhere
22 years is a gift of time to have a pet live on
Lovely poem, especially the little 'bark!'
So characteristic!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, John, for reading this sentimental little piece from my archives.
read moreThank you ever-so gratefully, John, for reading this sentimental little piece from my archives.
I guess it's true what they say, "A touching poem never grows old."
Yes, certainly understand how being attached to our little friends can happen … I still love and miss every one that's come and gone, and those with me now.

Bless you, Dear Fellow-Poet! ⁓ Richard : )