Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Wild Child



I was a wild child,
wandering the hills,
breathing in the scent
of sage and Ponderosa pine,
scuffing up the red earth,
drinking from irrigation trestles,
dreaming under
 puffy-cloud blue sky.

Once I wandered
up and over a hill,
singing,
past a herd of cows,
and they began to follow me
with their clumping hooves,
me going faster down the hill,
with them hastening behind me.

My life has been a journey
from desert to forest trail,
from lake to sea.
It has been a journey from
dog to dog, 
and one black wolf,
each accompanying me
with attentive eye and
warm, devoted heart.




Now, dogless, nearing
the end of my pilgrimage,
I am friend of all creatures,
Grandma of all dogs.
One came to me yesterday
at the beach, with timid eye.
She laid her treasure - her orange ball -
invitingly at my feet
for me to throw.
I did.
She would have followed me home,
but I had to tell her "Go.
Go to your person."
Sigh.

This life brings us so much:
wonders, nature, experiences,
memories, love,
an excess of delights.
It takes, as well.
Loss is the rent we pay
for being here.
But, before we lose,
we have.
And soon........
along comes
another gift,
another wonder.
I live in
endless gratitude
for it all.

20 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry, I enjoyed this poem, it reminded me of all the dogs I have shared my life with. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is perfect Sherry! Accepting what is, is the key. Nature is the teacher, why is it so hard to learn?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry
    You have had many adventures in your life so far..aided by the beautiful dogs you have shared your life with. Each has contributed to a chapter of your glorious journey. Living where you are allows for many adventures as you journey along your chosen path...lovely to sharethis poem today:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sherry
    You have had many adventures in your life so far..aided by the beautiful dogs you have shared your life with. Each has contributed to a chapter of your glorious journey. Living where you are allows for many adventures as you journey along your chosen path...lovely to sharethis poem today:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow beautiful with so many stunner like the trees scoffing up the red earth and
    dreaming under puffy-cloud blue sky and I had to think straight about your blogname Loved this poem Beautiful and uplifting

    ReplyDelete
  6. this was beautiful Sherry. God bless you with many more years to your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I especially like your words about loss and new gifts. How true! Beautiful write, as always, Sherry.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the idea of you wandering with a herd of cows following along. It is echoed in the dog requesting your inclusion in playing with the ball. So many gifts we are given,

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  9. A very moving poem of thanks and love. Just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loss is the rent we pay
    for being here.... oh my goodness..yes! Sadly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wonderful poem of life, death, dogs and other creatures companions on your way (and ours too). I hope thgat I feel so blessed when my turn comes too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your words are always so healing and uplifting Sherry. Aw...I was thinking of the dog with the orange ball, how it felt while going to its human, leaving you. Love this life-journey, so full of gratitude.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would have loved to see you charging down hill with a trail of cows in your wake! You paint the journey here of a worthy life--and the dogs you meet agree. Bravo! Another wonderful poem! And you still look a whole lot like that wild child.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I agree Sherry - what a thoughtful reflection about life. Loved the chasing moment, wish there was a video of it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really like the philosophy that loss is a rent that we pay.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Loss is the tent we pay - that says it all. We know how much dogs add to our journey. Also, love that photo!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! What a wonderful way to end my day.. I am glad I was tempted to read before I slept today.. it made me think of all the things I have and my heart filled with gratitude too.. My fav part of the poem is before we lose, we have.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Indeed, Sherry, your life has been quite a journey; and there have been many wonders along the way. And there still will be, in the future. Indeed you are the 'grandma of all dogs.' Smiles!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A wonderful poem, Sherry. Our life is indeed a journey and if we stop, look around us and find beauty and kindness, we can be truly thankful while we journey.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate it and will return your visit soon.