can't sleep

sorry little guy

Just the other day
I tripped on you
getting in the way
blind and deaf;
your walk had a sway.

It hurt me to see
the puppy you used to be
vanished under your
old dog's clouded eye,

Tears were shed
and explanations explained,
we knew it was right,
we knew you were pained.

Hesitation would not
have been just reward
for the comfort you have been
to our family.

Sometimes the best thing
isn't the easiest,
and the hardest
is the best,
sleep well old man,
get your rest.

Author's Note

It isn't profound, it's personal, and I held my niece's hand as she put the dog to sleep that she had since she was two.
RIP Romeo, 1996 - July 23, 2014

Reviews

[willweb]

One of the saddest parts of a young life
Loved this KLGoode even if it was sad.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Another well expressed snap shot of something that often happens to people and profoundly affects them which you have captured so well 'M'.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks so much. It was smarting quite severely at the time. Needed to let it out.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad poem. Hard for the kids to lose a friend. I have lost a few pets in my life. They become our family. Thank you for sharing the story about Romeo.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes. I had to. It was just there. Like a lump in my throat.

[Rita L. Sev]

Damn... you have me crying, recalling a similar experience with our 16 year old dog a few years ago... and now all I want to do is hug my young Lab before time takes her too... A beautiful, personal poem that so many can relate to.

[Lyn Anderson]

Sorry to make you cry, and I know animal lovers can relate. It isn't the best in terms of "show" but it is from the heart and gut, and therefore people who have been there feel it. Thank you.

[John Anderson]

This is bittersweet and beautifully expressed. Well done

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you I appreciate the kindness

[Rene Salinas]

Oh that made me feel empathy straight away and I am not even sure if I understood what is at stake here but having read other comments I can only say I am sorry. And of course congratulate you because the sentiment shared got to me without interruptions of the poetical kind.

Thankyou

[Lyn Anderson]

You are very kind thanks.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Oh this is so sad.I know the profound love you can have for an animal.I have a dog too whom I love almost as much as my kids.They never let you down and they are always there for you but you have to let them go sometimes because keeping them is only really for us if they are in pain.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, thank you, I appreciate that. As you can see, death is on my mind.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome.I see that .I hope you know if you wanna talk I'm here :)

[NoelHC]

So sad, we had to do that with our dog, a family companion just short of 17 years old, that was over 10 years ago, and still Danny comes to mind. Clearing the basement for a reno we came across a bag with his collar and grooming tools, and we couldn't bring ourselves to throw them out.
Those memories came back reading this one KL, loved it.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you. It really is a sentimental piece, not really intended as 'more than a memorial. It is strange, how quickly time passes -- holding my niece in that room, she is all grown up now.

[Anne Timmins]

Sad subject. Not sure how to write this, but the piece itself read choppy to me. Not one of your better writes in my opinion

[Lyn Anderson]

No it's not. And that is because it wasn't particularly intended as a showpiece.