navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #47 » Missing Persons
Open Poetry #47
Post A Reply Post New Topic Missing Persons Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2011-01-16 12:01 PM


MISSING PERSONS
15 January 2011

Dear God, Flicka, Daisy and Tigger

Thank you
for my new babies.
I can’t write about them yet,
but you know I will
when I can.

All four of you know
I love them with all my heart
and I appreciate your two precious gifts,
I do, I do.
They are my sanity
and my refuge
and they cocoon me
in their love and adoration,
and we are learning
to become a family,
but oh, the 3 horse-dog-cat-shaped holes
in my soul,
spread to my heart
and, ripped, it forgets to beat,
and despite Benji-licks and Cleo-purrs,
my lungs won’t
breathe,
and in doubled-up anguish
I struggle
to be.

It would be so easy, God,
so easy,
like so many, many times before,
to gaze into their eyes in turn
and kiss Flicka on his nose
and purr-stroke Tigger
and wag-pat Daisy
and exclude the world
in our bonded happiness,
so very, very easy
. . . if only, if only they were
. . . here.

Owl

© Copyright 2011 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
The_Doctors_Angel_32
Member
since 2011-01-14
Posts 337
Florida, USA
1 posted 2011-01-16 12:06 PM


This is such a sad poem. I am sorry for your loss of animals. I lost 3 cats in a matter of 11 months. Hobbes we lost August of 2008. He was 16 years old. Casey we lost April 2009. He was 18 years old. Shelby we lost July 2009. She was 14 years old. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about them still. I truly enjoyed the read!!!

When the family is together, the soul is at peace - Russian Proverb


faithmairee
Senior Member
since 2011-01-05
Posts 1441
Poe Haven, USA
2 posted 2011-01-16 01:02 AM


This one brought tears to my eyes...oh, how we love our pets!  it's so difficult when they are no longer with us...your poem is so gentle and beautifully written...

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

Kaoru
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892
where the wild flowers grow
3 posted 2011-01-16 01:22 AM


Wow.

Between myself and immediate family, I have been the owner and known many animals in my life.

Among them all there were only a select few that I truly bonded with. Bonds were broken here and there..and I know how heart breaking that can be.

This poem is a wonderful sentiment..it's sad, but it is beautiful. Enjoyed.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2011-01-16 01:31 AM


Just think what lucky "babies" they were to have a mother like you.
                         Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
5 posted 2011-01-16 01:58 AM


Thank you, Julie.  I am sorry for your loss of Hobbes, Casey and Shelby.    Wow, 3 in 11 months!  I can’t imagine how you coped.  In 65 years, I have once lost 2 babies in one year – Daisy, my Maltese Poodle on 18 December, 2009 at the age of 14½ and Tigger, my tabby cat, on 26 October 2010 at the age of 15½ - it wiped me out.  I still ache for my horse, Flicka who went to Heaven on 28 April 2002.  They are all together in Heaven now and healthy and happy and send me cloud and sky colour messages every day.  They sent me Benji and Cleo on 31 December 2010.

Thank you, Faith.  Yes, our fur babies (as Kate here – The Lady) calls them, are innocent and loving and faithful and the anchor in our lives.

Thank you, Kaoru.  Yes, our animals are so special.  They keep us sane and happy.

Thanks, Ida.  However, I was even luckier than they were.  Smiles.

Owl

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2011-01-16 10:44 AM


Dear Benji-licks and Cleo-purrs,

Just wait until you really get to
know Diana...she's going to spoil
you beautifully, love you unconditionally,
so be ready to return it graciously,
for she is about to become
your entire world.

Love,

Poe & Twain


BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
7 posted 2011-01-16 10:58 AM


my lungs won’t
breathe,
and in doubled-up anguish
I struggle
to be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That sums up the emptiness and the sadness so well.  
I feel for you Owl, what they meant to you is clearly evident and your pain is deeply felt.  

Warm hug~


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
8 posted 2011-01-16 01:50 PM


Oh, my precious little Poe and Twain, thank you for your lovely message to my babies.  Benji and Cleo loved your message when I read it to them.  They say they do already know that, but that it was lovely to hear it from you too.  I often see your photos in my folder called Animals (neither mine nor my family's) when I put new photos of my friends' animals in there.  You are both so very beautiful and cute and cuddly.  

Happy woofs and contented purrs from Benji and Cleo and kisses and cuddles from me, Auntie Di

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2011-01-16 01:53 PM


Thank you Blue, for your warm hug and your compassionate message.  It is appreciated very much indeed.

A warm hug back
Owl

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
10 posted 2011-01-16 03:10 PM


you honor the memory of your loving relationships beautifuly.
Lori

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
11 posted 2011-01-16 03:43 PM


Thank you, Lori.  My Heavenly and my Earthly babies are my life.  Their safety, health and happiness are everything to me.

Owl

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
12 posted 2011-01-16 07:08 PM


Diana, so many times I think about adopting one or two new  pets but it  becomes so hard when the memory of those in the past rise in thought and heart.


I am very tempted though, when I read your words and know what comfort the new ones will be to you.


M

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
13 posted 2011-01-16 07:11 PM


Oh, they are there, within your heart, and that is a good place to be.

~ Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils? / Because They Have Big Fingers. ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
14 posted 2011-01-17 03:09 PM


Maureen, I can really advocate it.  You can never replace the fur babies (Thanks for the words “fur babies”, Kate) who have passed on, but your Heavenly fur babies would love to present you with the joy of new Earthly babies. Think too of how happy you can make the new ones, in honour of the Heavenly ones.

Thank you, Jerry.  Yes, you are right.  I carry them with me everywhere, in my heart and they love being there.  I need reminding, so thank you for doing that.  I have often said, but not often enough to myself, that the depth of one’s pain and anguish as a result of a loss, is an indication of the magnitude of the gift of the presence of that being in life, for however, long or short one was together, and for that one should be infinitely grateful instead of sad.  And I am grateful, but the sadness and anguish are hard to relinquish.

Owl

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #47 » Missing Persons

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary