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Rod
Member
since 1999-12-08
Posts 149
Auckland New Zealand

0 posted 1999-12-17 04:17 AM





                                                                          

     A tribute to my Border Collie    

In sheepdog trials, your father won, whilst mother worked the sheep;
Together they have gifted you with assets buried deep,
A handsome face, intelligence, agility and speed,
With heart so true and loyal,  such a credit to your breed.

Your paw-pads crunching softly on the icy grass
The frost-hung beech hedge in the moonlight basks
The silver light of moon deflecting
Dances in your eyes, reflecting

Such faith in lovely eyes, which, like bright amber, shine
As the coal-black sheen of your coat at brushing time.
Ah! how your handsome features mirror images of night!
With your cloak of darkest charcoal, and your blaze of snowy white.

Yet, what is it that endears you so, that quality so treasured?
That great unspoken attribute, alas, so oft unmeasured,
But loyalty, the priceless gift revered above all other
Which neither time can render mute nor earthly distance smother.

In summer’s careful warmth, ‘midst June’s orchestral sound
We walked and ran together, field and woodland all around,
In pedigree you stand as one of England’s finest breed
Empowered by the instinct so exemplified by deed.


As golden crown of setting sun dropped slowly from the skies
You would sit and tell me stories with your telepathic eyes
No words were ever needed, and none were ever said,
But you always got the message through before you went to bed!


Now destiny and circumstance, those pruning tools of time,
Combined to part us sooner than did any plans of mine;
I grieve that we were miles apart when you were laid to rest
But in my heart you’ll always be just what you were - the best!


As Omar once reminded us, the moving finger writes,
And I look back on our friendship over countless days and nights
It is my hope, it is my prayer, the day we meet again,
We’ll run in those Eternal fields, my faithful, dear old Ben..



© Copyright 1999 Rod Walford - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 1999-12-17 05:49 AM


Border Collies are my favourite dogs ever!
This is marvellous...again!!!!

K

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 1999-12-17 06:52 AM


Rod -

I'm so glad you finally posted this.
Such a special piece from your heart.
Border Collie's .. LOVE and LOYALTY
just go together.
What a wonderful tribute.
My Killian remains the same
in my memories.

Thank you. ~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 1999-12-17 07:28 AM


Beautiful!!
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 1999-12-17 12:06 PM


You are quite a talented writer, Rod. This is absolutely wonderful. And such a lovely tribute to Ben!

 Denise



Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
5 posted 1999-12-17 12:46 PM


A beautiful piece....exquisitely executed....loved the read Rod..

 A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire!



hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 1999-12-17 02:48 PM


I love animals and left my four Shetland Sheepdogs when I left my abusive marriage and my ex refuses to let me have them. I found this very touching
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