i grieve for you
i thumb tacked my sorrow up on your wall
again yesterday.
your facebook page telling us all
that you lost Libby today.
It was Sunny last week.
Kajarkur a couple of months back.
they get old and sick
and we watch they die
hold them so they can go easy
and tell them again how much we love them
as we ease them toward death
and ourselves toward the pain that lies waiting.
sorry isn't enough
not by a long shot.
my words don't help much
but they are all I have
to let you know
that i hurt for you.
My inlaws--Bill and Kay--two of the gentlest and most loving people I know, had to put their two dogs down during the last two weeks. I grieve for them.
copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2013
Posted for Poets United
we ease them toward death
ReplyDeleteand ourselves toward the pain that lies waiting.
a beautifully written, thoughtful poem... & if i may say so (as one who knows intimately of death & dying), words such as yours here do help, so much
sorry isn't enough is true... so sad.. i was just remembering our first dog and the time we had to say goodbye...tears in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hear you on this. In years past I lost two dogs (to old age & illness). It is as hard to lose a dog as it is to lose a human who is important in one's life, I think. Some people who do not have animals take such losses lightly...but not anyone who has truly loved and been loved by a dog. Grief IS grief, and grief IS hard.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so sad. But what a lovely poem you've written to your in laws here. I'm sure they will be touched by your words.
ReplyDeleteOh Audrey, one such loss is unbearable. Two in such a short time is heartbreaking. Please convey my deepest sympathy to them. I know your words WILL help. When Pup died, it was the comments and support of my online friends that got me through. So sad.
ReplyDeleteit is hard to know what to say in that moment....losing a pet is like losing a family member...we lost our long time cat last christmas...there is a mourning process, a grieving....what vivid opening lines too audrey...
ReplyDeleteLoosing a dog a cat like that is so sad.. and what support can you give?
ReplyDeleteSuch a thoughtful piece. Sorry isn't a word that could compensate that loss. Pets form the same relationship with their caretakers as the one among humans.
ReplyDelete-HA
I'm so sorry Audrey, you are right it is a word that is never enough, and often all we have. Reading your poem makes your comment about my post make much more sense... seeing my old girl running around still. Much love to you and your family in this time of grief.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to Bill and Kay and your whole family, Audrey. Losing a family member is never easy...especially the four-legged variety that give us unending love and affection. I confess that cut through me as we recently had to say goodbye to our beautiful German Shepherd. I miss him so....
ReplyDeleteAnd though there are no words for the grief, you expressed the pain of loss brilliantly in the ones you chose.
So sad to read about this Audrey ~ Condolences to your in-laws ~
ReplyDeleteLosing a dear pet is hard. They have often shared so much of our lives that they are true members of the family. I am sure your friends will appreciate.
ReplyDeleteVery sad, Audrey. Feeling sorry for them...Animals live short lives, but warm our hearts every day..
ReplyDeleteA way to connect: facebook!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. The poem doesn't specify canine, so I read it as if humans, and indeed the grief is similar though fortunately or unfortunately how we ease them toward leaving is not. I love this poem.
ReplyDeleteCompassionate look at grief; it is never easy. Sometimes I wonder why we ever have pets or for that matter why we ever fall in love...there is always pain involved....but also so much joy. :)
ReplyDeleteLump in my throat and tears in my eyes. So sadly beautiful. Only comfort is that there are two dogs happily chasing butterflies in the fields of heaven.
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt thanks to Audrey and to all of you who have reached out to grieving strangers. We deeply appreciate your kindness. Kay
ReplyDeleteBill and Kay are lucky to have someone like you in their lives.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. I have lost a few favorite pets and am blessed by the time we had together before I lost them, but sorry to see them go. My logo has on of my little fur buddies in it. He was stolen from my back yard in just a few moments as I readied for work. My entire family searched for our little friend for months. He was so much company!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. Yes. To feel a real and complete grief for a "stranger," is interesting...takes one by surprise. I'm not assuming that your friend is a stranger but I'm speaking from an experience that I had yesterday. A woman I never met was leaving the vets at the same time as me and she'd lost an animal...her carrier was empty and tear-stained eyes told...anyway I found myself in tears when I got in the car. Sorry for my long story. I enjoy your poem and perspective, your voice in this, very much.
ReplyDeleteMy father is battling cancer, and this poem spoke so deeply to me. The words do seem so ineffectual, but as someone receiving them, I can tell you they do help and make a difference. Lovely and heartbreaking poem.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping in to to say hi and see what's new. Hope your Halloween is a good one. Hugs, G
ReplyDeletewww.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com
It makes me crazy when words are woefully inadequate. We should invent words in the English language to use just for those times when words don't work: I actung for you: I sorely, wholeheartedly ache for you and express my deepest sorrows. Hmm...I might have to use that.
ReplyDeleteMy comment is two-fold: to express condolences and bring a little lightness to the table...for it hurts so, so much to lose a loved one - doesn't matter if they're two or four legged. HUGS to your in-laws. I actung for them.
That is really sad, the pain never goes away. Great write.
ReplyDelete