Every time I pointed the nose
of our little blue Toyota
towards Tofino,
you went wild with joy:
barking, leaping from front seat to back,
from back to front,
big tail whapping me upside the face,
me laughing.
Once, after you died,
I parked in front of
the 126 kilometers to Tofino sign
to take a photo,
and when I looked at the picture, after,
I saw your image, clearly outlined,
through the rear window,
big black body, white on your chest.
I had moved after you died.
Perhaps your spirit was inhabiting the car
to stay near me.
When the car died, I felt such a pang,
leaving it at the wrecker's.
It was our chariot to the wild beaches,
your home away from home,
our raucuous rides, me singing, you barking,
all the way
through the mountains.
(Oh, we were wild!)
Each time we left the beach to return to the car,
you, head down in sorrow,
always carried a piece of driftwood
with you, a memento
of our lost wilderness shore.
Were you still in the car
when I left it there that day
and walked away?
Life is so full of painful partings.
Yours and mine was one of the hardest.
But oh! what joy we had
for a time,
when you and I and the world
were young.
Dog of Joy
for Mary's prompt at What's Going On: Through the Windshield
You have wonderful memories of traveling with your dog of joy. I especially loved the part of seeing his shadow in a photo afterwards . I have had a similar experience finding an outline in a photo that shouldn't have been there. In this case I believe it was his spirit catching a ride, telling you he was okay.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is a beauty Sherry; the blue Toyota, Pup and the younger You. Yet painful parting is the chalice that holds the joy of life. Inseparable. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this poem, Sherry! What adventures you, Pup, and the blue Toyota had when you and Pup "and the world were young." Those were good days!! (And a good poem resulted.)
ReplyDeleteO Sherry, you were intimate with that blue Toyota, I loved reading your write. . It hurts to see them go when you've had them so long and they have to leave. I'm that way with my mother's pristine 1974 Mustang II Ghia, I'd give it to a relative but no one hear wants it.
ReplyDeleteSo many memories beautifully described. You make the loss tangible and also convey a sense of journeying inside and out - touching and beautiful - Jae (and love the photo too)
ReplyDeleteOh what a touching wonderful poem full of joy and loss. I checked out Tofino What a stunning area No wonder you two had such amazing adventures there. Great memories
ReplyDeleteTofino is very beautiful, Marja. Thanks for checking it out.
ReplyDelete"But oh! what joy we had
ReplyDeletefor a time" I can tell. The dog and the car and Tofino have a clear relationship in this poem. What a life!
Touching poem, Sherry. The whole family (big or small, human or pet) forms attachments with our cars, don't they?
ReplyDeleteCherished memories of you and Pup having a great time . This will sustain you. through the difficult bits.Lovely photo,
ReplyDelete"chariot to the wild beaches" and "our raucuous rides, me singing, you barking, all the way through the mountains." Oh, what freeing, magnificent imagery! Wonderful moments brought back to life, Sherry!
ReplyDelete