Saturday, June 28, 2014

Everything I Never Told You


You knew I loved you.
I told you you were
the best dog in the world,
though everyone else thought
you were probably the worst.

You knew that I would miss you.
It's why you tried so hard,
towards the end,
 to stay.
You knew because I told you
--and you really listened--
that when I die,
I wanted you to be the one 
to come and get me.

But what I didnt tell you,
what I couldnt fully understand,
back then,
was just how much,

and for how long,

I really couldnt bear it

when you left.


for Mary's prompt, the title taken from the book Everything I've Never Told You, by Celeste Ng.
Susan and Gabriela have written to  this, as well. Check out dVerse Open Link, to read their poems.

43 comments:

  1. so hard...i was with my cat when she passed last christmas...trying to comfort her...i miss her visiting my boys at night...she thought she was their mother...ha...my new cat has a different personality...loved for different reasons you know...

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  2. This breaks my heart Sherry. You have had such a wonderful relationship with all your animals. They do become such a close part of our lives and family.

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  3. Sherry, this really shows the strong bond you had with Pup;and I know that he felt the same. I do think that loves like this are forever, andI am not surprised that the missing goes on and on. I do hope, however, that there will be yet one more big black dog in your life, not to take Pup's place but to bring you some needed joy.

    (Gabriella & I will both share your link on our pages as well. Thanks for taking part in the challenge!)

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  4. This is a very moving poem, Sherry. I am sure Pup knew how much he meant to you. Such relationships with beloved pets are priceless. Good take on this informal prompt.

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  5. Oh this is too sad. I understand how he tried to hang on for your sake.I have experienced this
    myself.God gave us animals to teach us how to love. You were blessed having him.

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  6. it's tough to lose such a good friend - i had a dog when i was a teen and loved him dearly..

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  7. a beautiful tribute

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  8. Oh my this one is truly wrenching. Such deep love and we miss them so much when they are gone. Your beautiful boy.

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  9. Very moving Sherry ~ The pain and loss of a loved one are clearly felt no matter how long ago it was ~

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  10. Losing is the worst pain, a moving poem

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  11. Losing is the worst pain, a moving poem

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  12. Goodness, I feel this. My precious animals I have said goodbye to have left holes in my spirit.

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  13. that must be how one really feels at a certain time in life, when memories prompt us to express ourselves-enjoyed line by line .Well expressed Sherry

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  14. I like that you so openly still grieve your precious wolf/dog. I'm sure he "heard" everything you never told him. But, it's true, perhaps neither you nor he knew how much grief hurts.

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  15. Yes. That's what we learn after the fact, and fill with gratitude and something else like--but not--regret. Longing may be the word, or amputation.

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  16. I know just what you mean. I have let Sundance know that his is the first face I want to see when I cross over. What other one could there be?

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    Replies
    1. ps--I always tell Bosco that Sundance and him are my Number 1 and Number 1A. ;-)

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  17. Very sweet and poignant poem, Sherry. Thanks. k.

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  18. Lovely poem and a loving tribute to your friend.

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  19. Brought me to tears, and my own memories.

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  20. I can feel your emotion here Sherry - lucky dog to be loved thus... With Best Wishes Scott

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  21. Oh, Sherry, this makes my heart ache. I feel your pain, my friend. Hugs to you.

    Love,
    Pamela ox

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  22. Ouch. I have never had a dog of my own (always been more of a "cat person)," but it was of course very hard losing a couple of our family dogs. My dad was especially heartbroken about an Australian shepherd we lost.

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  23. ugh, it's tough losing a pet (of course, after awhile, that "pet" becomes a member of the family.) I had a frog and when he died, my heart shattered. Really hard times...

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  24. This went straight to my heart...I relate to every word. Thank you for sharing and I so understand the deep loss of our precious pets. <3

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  25. I hurt for you here - I'm still missing my Sam the Cat three years on and he was the doggiest cat you ever knew. He weighed 43lbs once and would get down and tussle with you. Now what kind of cat does that.

    I know dogs go to heaven and I'm sure you'll meet up there and (good news!) we'll all be speaking the same language there.

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  26. Oh yes.. Some dogs, some people always leave emptiness when they leave.. I'm sure that if you look into the stars at night you see the diamonds of his eyes above.

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  27. Oh Sherry, you brought tears to my eyes. Dogs are something so very special, aren't they?

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  28. Yes...so hard to lose them. I've had three dogs that I loved ..they are my family and I miss them dearly. Sorry.

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  29. in the depth of my soul i believe there's a place in the universe where all who love like this, the love between two living beings that even though the language was not the same whilst they co-exised they will, in this place find each other. the sharing of this journey of love amongs those that understand neve wanes in its appreciation.
    you know i feel you, mi amiga. gracias for sharing your heart and soul with us.

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  30. Aw, yes, it's so hard, they become such good friends and companions. The love you shared is palpable here, in this lovely tribute.

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  31. do hope this isn't a recent grief for you... we never really know until they are gone... and only one needs to give us hope

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  32. No we don't know, but we will...even when we think we can't.

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  33. He's a great looking dog. I'm with you on this one. I hope at least one will be waiting for me...

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  34. This made me relive my love for the dogs I've lost over the years. Thought of them still bring tears to my eyes. My danger is that I think too often of the fact that someday I will have to go through that again with my two current dogs and it's too easy to let that take away from the joy I share with them in the present.

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  35. Some love--the most special kind-- endures forever.

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  36. dogs always break your heart. They just don't live long enough.... This reminds me of a quote by Robert Lewis Stevenson when asked by a young boy if dogs went to heaven. Stevenson replied - I tell you they will be there before us.

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  37. how unconditionally they become one of us.

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  38. ah, dang, Sherry... ~

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  39. A sweet tribute. Poetry can be such good therapy.

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  40. Sherry,

    He will always be your boy Pup:) I know you miss him every day, as he was your trusty companion. Hard to ever find a true replacement...Your poem releases your thoughts and sets a scene of loss and feeling for us to share..
    Hope all else is good Sherry, Eileen :)

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  41. There is a circling feeling of thoughts and I could feel the energy! So good, Sherry~ You taught each other so much-hugs!

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