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Open Poetry #48
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Woman's Best Friend
| Open Poetry #48 |
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Woman's Best Friend |
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MICHELMAS Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305Lancashire England 
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Woman’s Best Friend The dog knew, oh yes he knew If you cared to look into his eyes So mournful, his head between his paws His tail twitched once, his tail twitched twice. He’d known some time, the last few days alone Someone had called, to feed, to take for one brief walk And then today, so many people, they’d pat, or stroke So many flowers, so many tears, so very hushed their talk. Then later, how they’d looked at him Poor old boy, he’s fifteen you know Such a shame, his bladder’s gone It’s for the best, she’d understand, his days are done. So quiet now, he lay alone, in thought or dream, I do not know Remembering that first day, all paws he was She’d hugged him tight, and cried a lot Her first words, I’m sure he would have loved you too. And how they’d run through fields and streams And slowly he’d made her smile come back So many miles and games they played And by the fire, his ears were stroked each night. And autumn leaves came round again He’d wait for her, she’d wait for him The walks now short, but still together Both always close whatever weather. And once his coat so shiny black Just like her hair, both now turned grey Then suddenly the walks had stopped He’d cuddle close head on her lap. That fateful day, no stroke for him But this dog knew, oh yes he knew So lying still his eyelids closed Began to dream, of long gone days He dreamed of chasing through the fields A blue sky day, a light so bright His legs were twitching to his dream The years rolled back, a pup again. And then he saw her raven hair The blue eyed sparkle that he knew They ran into the setting sun Both young again, for days of fun. MJH2012 |
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| © Copyright 2012 MICHAEL HUGHES - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Touching poetry, especially for us dog lovers of the world. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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r v wooo Senior Member
since 2007-08-07
Posts 656 |
Oh, the memories...they bring tears to my eyes...I love the poem. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Michael, this has me sobbing so much I can’t think straight. Even if it is fictional, it is true in its essence. There is so much I want to say, but I can’t get it into words. Sorry. Owl |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Michael, do let us know when to bring in the Hankies by posting a "Hanky Alert"... I AM this woman! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Michael, I came back in here, wanting to read it again, but I got through a couple of stanzas and the flood gates opened again and I just couldn't read further, nor say the things I wanted to about the darling doggie and my previous babies, being my horse and dog and cat who are (happy) in Heaven, nor what I was wondering about, but I think I got my answer about that in October Rain. Sorry again. Owl |
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MICHELMAS Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305Lancashire England |
Thanks for the comments, sorry about causing tears,but then I wanted the emotion in this poem.It is strange how many people lose a partner and replace them with an animal..a dog perhaps...and then if the owner dies and leaves the dog alone..what next the line 'This dog he knew, oh yes he knew' that just came to me sat on a train, and the rest followed... there is a lot of comfort to be gained over the years from the love given and returned from a faithful pet. Enough said I think Michael |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Such tender tragic truth lovingly told... Very well done! lori  |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Michael, don’t be sorry about my tears. Whilst your very beautiful poem ripped me apart, it was a good ripping apart and I am glad I read your poem, though I won’t ever read it a second time. The fact that it is fictional, doesn’t make any difference as it is so true about these precious darlings. Timing made it a little more difficult for me too, as on 26 October, it was exactly 2 years since my beloved Tigger cat went to Heaven. I got through that day reasonably sane thanks to Benji dog and Cleo cat and Ruth (Suthern) and her 2 cats, Kate and Colin. My dog, Daisy, went to Heaven at the age of 14½ on 18 December 2009, and as I said, Tigger on 26 October 2010 at the age of 15½, and my horse, Flicka, on 28 April 2002 at the age of 37½ (human years). The 3 of them watching over me from Heaven found me Cleo and Benji on 31 December 2010. I had been wanting an old dog and an old cat so they would go to Heaven before I die so they wouldn’t suffer the excruciating separation anxiety that I felt/still feel and always will from Flicka, Daisy and Tigger. However, Benji was 11 months when I got him and Cleo was 4 years old – so I will have to make sure I live longer than they do, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem barring disasters, considering my excellent health, but I am almost 67, so I hope I get it right. On top of everything else, on changing stations last night on TV, I happened on the end of Marley (a Labrador) and Me, from where Marley and his human father were nearly at the top of the hill. I was hysterical, despite knowing that it was probably fictional too, but that didn’t make any difference for the same reason as with your poem, and despite trying to tone it down as my cat and dog were upset by my hysteria. So, I’m sorta exhausted today and yet some tears are still flowing at the proximity of your poem. Owl |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
This was awesome, my friend!!! jimmy |
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