Saturday, December 12, 2015

THE DOGS OF HEAVEN

The Black Dog of Joy

The dogs of Heaven
are running through my dreams,
all the loved little creatures
that blessed my life.
Their paws,
a trail of footprints
'cross my heart,
their happy eyes remembering
all we shared
"until we part."

At the front of the pack
runs fast a big, black wolf,
his eyes aglow with joy 
of release and no more pain.
To see such joy 
within his eyes so plain,
I'd set him free
one hundred times
again
and yet
again.


A poem from 2011, posted for this week's Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where there is good reading every Sunday morning. I miss that big old laughing black dog so much.

24 comments:

  1. this life is full of blessed moments of once having them with us...could see your Pup leading and full of joy....

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  2. This is touching, Sherry! I do think our dogs will be there in heaven as well. After all, without them, what kind of heaven would it be?

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  3. I, too, would let them go again and again--in my case it's cats--the Miracle and Red and Wicca and Pierette of a well accompanied life. Their footprints are on my heart.

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  4. you tugged on my heart strings and and the spirit of my soul on this one mi amiga. i think i can see my jules and your pup playing.

    gracias for this touch

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  5. A beautiful dog and a wonderful tribute.

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  6. Yes, this one I know from my own experience. They truly can be our very best friends,

    Elizabeth

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  7. Oh I do love the sentiment - those places where the dogs are free... The pain of parting has to have a purpose like this.

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  8. Set him free a hundred times... What a beautiful sentiment .. Loved it Sherry..

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  9. There is nothing so heartwarming as engaging with a wild animal and getting its trust whether bird, kangaroo or echidna (Australian form of porcupine). So glad you posted this again as I had not seen it before.

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  10. a very touching poem, Sherry.
    he is more than just a friend. he is family.

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  11. To find a companion that understands our soul and shares our life is sheer joy and magic..i see it in the picture..and i feel it in the words...i think he is still with you xo

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  12. Such a heartwarming tribute :D :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  13. There is something wonderful to be found in poetry that allows us to hold on to the memories shared with those we've loved and love... ♥

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  14. Ah Sherry, your heart is in the words..he is there with you always..his imprints lasting forever..

    Their paws,
    a trail of footprints
    'cross my heart,

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  15. And mine are there running with them...having such fun again! The memories came flooding back as I read your heartfelt words.

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  16. As always just to think of Pup brings tears to my eyes. I guess the bigger the joy, the harder the loss. It is such a hard part of life, seems a cruel joke....

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  17. And I would release my SamCat again and again to know there is no more pain. It always hurts. SamCat being such a curious boy, I imagine now knows every critter there and is just having a fine time with them all.

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  18. Awww...a heart warming tribute to the power of an ordinary life and a celebration of how pets make our lives sweeter and richer!!Loved every word, Sherry! Great read....

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  19. Ah, I love this poem, memory of dog-friend inserted in words able to keep it forever...

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  20. "All the loved little creatures." That line I love the best, I think because of the nice alliteration.

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  21. "THE DOGS OF HEAVEN" - what a beautiful concept. I see a poetry book in this - a true labor of love - with similarity themed pieces that speak to the depth of feeling we have for all the loved little creatures that bless our lives. Many share this great affection for our canine friends ... though, no one articulates that feeling better than you do, Sherry.

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  22. I join you in honoring all those loving creatures, now in heaven, free. I'm so sentimental Sherry. Every time you write of dogs, especially your lovely wolf, tears come to my eyes. Still, I love that you write of him and all the others.

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