Early cloud-streaked sky painted pink,
and I remember waking to the weight
of your snout on the side of my bed
that morning.
I heard your urgent whuff, twice,
but didn't open my eyes
because you were gone.
But then I rose, and realized
it had been you, after all,
come to say goodbye at the very moment
they fed you into the flames.
Our hearts so fused, of course
you'd come. You never wanted
to leave.
Rivers of tears, a loss too deep for words,
that still remains, all these years later,
waking every morning to your absence -
you, who were such a huge presence,
you, with a spirit always
too big to kill.
too big to kill.
For Sumana's prompt at What's Going On on Wednesday: Aubade: a morning love song, a feeling of love and loss. Of course it's Pup.
Oh my goodness, Sherry! You have written so many Pup poems, but I think this is my favorite. You describe your feelings so perfectly, the love, the loss. A wonderful, wonderful poem. Pup would love it!
ReplyDeleteof course / you'd come. You never wanted / to leave - I felt those lines.. waking up, knowing days will never be the same is heartbreaking... :(
ReplyDelete"it had been you, after all,
ReplyDeletecome to say goodbye at the very moment
they fed you into the flames."
I believe each moment of this passionate poem. To have a love like that is a forever event, and a border crossing doesn't mean he's gone. Most powerful Pup poem yet!
"waking every morning to your absence -"....This is a forever heartbreak Sherry. Every word spills with the deepest feeling and so very moving. Through your words we miss Pup too.
ReplyDeleteYour aubade made me cry, Sherry, and I thought not only of my little Jasper who I still miss after all these years, but also my daughter’s dog who recently died suddenly. Whenever I stayed with them, Buster slept with me on the sofa bed. I’m going down for Lucas’s sixth birthday and I know I will feel the absence of his snout too.
ReplyDeleteThey are such dear creatures, the only source of unconditional love most of us receive. It is so hard to lose them - but such a joy to have had them.
Deletevery touching and heart felt. i could feel your loss, it was very moving.
ReplyDeletePlease stop worrying about the cremation. He wasn't in that flesh anymore. He hasn't left you even now, I promise.
ReplyDeleteVery moving...I wouldn't describe it as unconditional love...it is real love....Rall
ReplyDeleteBrought tears to my eyes, Sherry, remembering my own "Pup" who was cremated too and "a loss too deep for words." But your words pull powerfully on my heartstrings, constricting my throat, even while I wonder at the love that was shared and still share in eternity, because of the "spirit always/too big to kill." Beautifully written, every word.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friends. We do miss our furry loves.
ReplyDeleteThis is just perfect, Sherry. I, too, think this is my favorite of your Pup poems. A loss for sure, but I am so glad you had him.
ReplyDeleteGoofy Pup! First 2 stanzas show without telling. I wish my cats would visit me.
ReplyDeleteYou capture this emotion perfectly. Peace to you.
ReplyDeleteSherry, your memories of Pup are always good, but this one in particular brought tears to my eyes! Thx for your comment on my site - once again, Wordpress is messing with comments... A
ReplyDelete