Beinnalba Pyreneans

   The  Gift    &  other poems

I'll lend you for a little while                        My grandest dog he said.                            For you to love while he's alive                   And mourn for when he's gone.          

 It may be one or twenty years.                   Or days or months , you see.                      But, will you, till i take him back                 Take care of him for me ?               

 He'll bring charms to gladden you,              And should his stay be brief                      You'll have treasured memories                    As solace for your grief.

 I cannot promise he will stay,                    Since all from earth return.                         But, there are lessons taught on earth               I want this dog to learn.

 I've looked the wide world over                    In my search for teachers true.                      And from the throngs that crowd lifes  lanes   With trust I have selected you.                  Now will you give him your total love ?         Nor think the labour vain,                          Nor hate me when I come                          To take him back again?

 I know you'll give him tenderness               And love will bloom each day.                     And for the happiness you've known            Forever gratefull stay.

 But should I come and call for him              Much sooner than you'd planned               You'll brave the bitter grief that comes         And someday you'll understand.      

          unknown                  

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     I STOOD BY  YOUR BED   

I  stood by your bed last night,                      I came to have a peep.                                 I could see that you were crying,                  You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed           away a tear,                                                " It's me, I haven't left you,I'm well,I'm           fine, I'm here ". 

I was close to you at breakfast,                     I watched you pour the tea,                         You were thinking of the many times            your hands reached out to me.

I was with you at the shops today,               Your arms were getting sore.                        I longed to take your parcels,                        I wish I could do more.       

I was with you at my grave today,                 You tend it with such care.                            I want to reassure you                                that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house,           as you fumbled for your key.                        I gently put my paw on you,                          I smiled and said " It's me ."

You looked so very tired,                             and sank into a chair.                                   I tried so hard to let you know                      that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be                              so near you everyday.                                 To say to you with certainty,                         " I never went away."                 

You sat there very quietly,                           then smiled, I think you knew .......                In the stillness of that evening,                       I was very close to you.

The day is almost over......                           I smile and watch you yawning and say         "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you                in the morning."

And when the time is right for you                to cross the brief divide,                              I'll rush across to greet you and                     we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you,               there is so much for you to see.                   Be patient, live your journey out.......           then come home to be with me            

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           in memory of our pets

         Shuna               Lassie        Axle                    

        

       Cuillin           Warwick     Cindy 

                                          

     Susie               Mishka        

     

    

   

 

               

                MAY    I   GO ?

 May I go now? Do you think the time is right?   May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?                                      I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free ?                        I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.

 I want to go I really do. It's difficult to stay.      But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.  To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know your sad and afraid, because I see your tears.                      I'll not be far,  I promise that, and hope you''ll always know that my spirit will be close to you  wherever you may go.

 Thankyou so for loving me.                             You know I love you too,  That's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.            So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,   because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.                        

           Susan A Jackson             

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                A DOGS SOUL             

 Every dog must have a soul                          Somewhere deep inside,                                Where all his hurt and grievances                    Are buried with his pride.                              When he decides the good and bad,               The wrong way from the right,                       And where his judgement carefully                  Is hidden from our sight.                                 A dog must have a secret place                       Where every thought abides.                           A sort of close acquaintance that                     He trusts in and confides.                              And when accused unjustly for                         Himself, He cannot speak,                            Rebuked, He finds within his soul                   The comfort he must seek.                            He'll love, tho' he is unloved,                          And he'll serve tho' badly used,                      And one kind word will wipe away                  The times when he's abused.                        Altho' his heart may break in two                     His love will still be whole,                             Because God gave to every dog                        An understanding Soul !.