Pup ~ March, 1997 to January 15, 2011
"There is no pain so great
as memory of joy in present grief."
Aeschylus
Because men had abused my trust,
you came to me this lifetime
in a wolf-dog’s body,
but your eyes spoke to me
with human sensibility,
and you could read my mind.
Fate brought us together,
solitary wolf-woman and small wolf puppy,
lost on the mountainside.
I rescued you;
you rescued me.
Our bond went deep,
as wolf-bonds do.
We shared the wild.
I never knew how large
a presence
your absence would be,
or that it would continue
to the end of my life.
In the spirit world,
I know that you are conscious
how I grieve.
I can see the sadness in your eyes,
those eyes that never left me
in this life.
But you always went ahead of me
on the trail.
Now I am following
your padding footsteps,
listening for your call.
When next we meet,
there will be joy:
I can see you,
tail up, ears cocked,
with that old, wild gleam
in your eyes.
I have known those eyes before
for, lifetime after lifetime,
you have found me.
We made a whole, we two,
an unlikely but perfect partnership,
salted by sea-spray and forest trails,
peppered with loud barks and cackles…
Oh, we were wild!
And I never knew how deep
a grief could be
till you were no longer
walking, here,
walking, here,
with me.
Oh WOW! Sherry, Pup has inspired you again! Magically he brought you rich gifts that will last a life time.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad and my heart aches to even think of a future without my lil wolf :(
ReplyDeleteSad to be without, but I keep thinking that few of us experience love like you have. So also, this poem is about that blessing.
ReplyDeleteHe was one of the many gifts life sent me this lifetime. And he was a wild one. What a handful! LOL.
DeleteWhat a tale. What an ending. So sad, (and yet...)
ReplyDelete....and yet....such love!
DeleteIt's deeply moving and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the memory of your well seasoned friendship with your pet.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully penned Sherry
Much love...
These perfect souls are sent to us for love and companionship and so much more. What joy Pup was and is - then, in your life together and now, in memory and poetry. Beautiful, my friend.
ReplyDeletethere can be no taming of the wild - and the magic, blessed be, is in understanding and respecting this - and simply allowing to unfold - a process of awe and learning, and mutual trust
ReplyDeleteheartbreaking in sensitivity
A lovely poem about a great friend. Thanks for sharing your poem.
ReplyDeleteThis is so deeply touching, Sherry. Especially; "In the spirit world, I know that you are conscious how I grieve. I can see the sadness in your eyes, those eyes that never left me in this life" ..brought tears into my eyes.
ReplyDeleteoh my...that one got me right there...sniff.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching tribute to a beloved fur friend, Sherry. Eloquent!
ReplyDelete"your eyes spoke to me"
ReplyDeleteAt our school staff meeting last week, we had a blind teacher as a guest. At one point in her presentation, her guide dog looked right at me--right through me, I think--with his piercing, soulful eyes. I have never had such an intimate experience with an animal before. It was both unsettling and reassuring. Do you know what I mean?
A beautiful tribute and memory of your beloved friend.
ReplyDelete"Now I am following
your padding footsteps,
listening for your call."
Beautiful and made me think how we stay still attached in spirit. I also loved the wildness of the two of you.
Grief for an animal is tough... there are few provisions for the expression or recognition of such loss compared to the loss of a person, and yet the depth of the grief can be the same. Well expressed.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing quite like the love and trust that can form between dog and human. Your writings about Pup over the years has shown how close you both were. It is a lucky human to have experienced that gift and I am glad to say I have too...and the sadness still hurts all these years later.
ReplyDeleteSherry
ReplyDeleteThis poem is beautiful! Your memories sustain you even though you grieve. He is not gone just transformed. The eyes are the window of the soul. I can look into someone eyes and see so much. You shared a unique journey filled with love and respect.
I felt weepy reading your words. Connected in spirit.
I never knew how large
ReplyDeletea presence
your absence would be... that's wonderfully said...poignant.
Oh, Sherry, it seems your Pup poems keep coming and coming. This is painful, but beautiful. You are still grieving. Pup is there waiting. You definitely were perfect together and will be together again!
ReplyDeleteSuch sadness and yet I know you will be reunited when the time comes
ReplyDeleteLovely to come back for a second read. Words coming from heart go straight into another heart. Such beautiful love-born words Sherry!
ReplyDeleteSo much love in your poem, even though with a tinge of sadness. How beautiful the relationship you capture here:
ReplyDeleteOur bond went deep,
as wolf-bonds do.
We shared the wild
A beautiful and moving piece, Sherry!
Aah, every loss, has something to teach us even when we are not up for a lesson, Sherry!Animals are such a gift, filled with love and support!!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that your poem touched my heart. Even after so many years, I am still grieving the loss of five beloved dogs... :(((
Beautiful ...just beautiful poem, sherry!
Holy tear-jerker.
ReplyDeletenever knew how deep a grief could be
ReplyDeletetill you were no longer walking, here, with me
One feels it more when they are not around anymore. Very true Sherry in many instances!
Hank
You know what, Koko? You were the first person who made me look at dogs differently and lovingly. And your story with Pup is the enduring positive thing that has left such a lasting impression on me. This poem reinforces that. As always, a beautiful poem here, Koko. Straight from the heart. Honest. Loving.
ReplyDelete