Poem That Brought Tears

[sandgrubber]

On a Good Dog

by Ogden Nash

O, my little pup ten years ago

was arrogant and spry,

Her backbone was a bended bow

for arrows in her eye.

Her step was proud, her bark was loud,

her nose was in the sky,

But she was ten years younger then,

And so, by God, was I.

Small birds on stilts along the beach

rose up with piping cry.

And as they rose beyond her reach

I thought to see her fly.

If natural law refused her wings,

that law she would defy,

for she could do unheard-of things,

and so, at times, could I.

Ten years ago she split the air

to seize what she could spy;

Tonight she bumps against a chair,

betrayed by milky eye!

She seems to pant, Time up, time up!

My little dog must die,

And lie in dust with Hector's pup;

So, presently, must I.

[VizslaMomma]

Sad and beautiful.

Looking at this with the dearest old boy.

[dogbesotted]

this reduces me to tears but i love it nonetheless

The old girl felt her worn and tired muscles relax and her pain dissolve.

She drew in a long, soft breath and relaxed a little more as the familiar, loving scent of her people, filled her lungs. Memories of them rushed through her brain and warmed her heart.

"A collage of happy images and tender days."

She felt their soft touches against her fur. Their hands sent a tactile message of their gratitude and their love. She felt the warmth atop her head and neck and blinked and saw their faces streaked with tears.

"Don't cry for me or feel sad."

She heard them as she shut her eyes. They said her name and the "good girl" words, through their pain and sorrow. In her mind, her tail wagged to tell them that she heard. And understood.

"Good bye, my Hearts."

She is standing in a meadow, near a stream. The sky is fiercely blue. She hears the song of many birds and smells the growing grass. Her legs are strong. Her eyes are clear. She begins to walk toward a brightly colored bridge, far off on the horizon, but pauses for a moment and looks back.

"Thank you. Until the day we walk together once again."

She turns and wags her thick strong tail and runs. And runs.

2000 Walt Zientek

[sheena]

:cry: