Pets I have Known

Basil and Olive
(My current pets)

Pets I Have Known

This is a hard subject for me
because I think back at four
beloved pets that I have lost
as well as being grateful for
two that live with me still.

Dixie was the one who started it all
came home  with us from Alabama 
given to us free in a souvenir store
an accidental offspring of an
American Eskimo and a 'black menace'
who taught me how to be a pet parent.

Then there was Bear, another offspring
of an accidental breeder, half chow chow
(she had a half black tongue) and half
something unknown.  She was a beautiful
dog, but she had some irritating issues
but I loved her anyway.

Next there was sweet Violet, 
a toy fox terrier from a breeder,
the first of my three fox terriers. 
I was able to take her anywhere,
carried her in a large yellow purse,
and no one knew there was a dog inside.

Then there was Tulip, my 'heart' dog,
my second toy fox terrier who came
from the same breeder as Violet, 
and who had a white heart on her face
(or was it a tulip?) and was the
best lap dog ever. I still miss her.

Then there was Basil who was part
of a rescue of a few dozen toy fox terriers
from a dog hoarder home.  He was very
small and spunky and still is with me
cuddling on my lap at age fifteen
and still relatively healthy too.

Then there was Olive who came from
a Havanese breeder, a delightful friend
turning two years old this month.
A lover of a dog who keeps me active
and melts my heart when she looks at me.
Olive is a dog that everyone loves!

Tulip and Violet
(Both Deceased)

For Susan's Prompt at What's Going On? -- Pets I Have Known

Forest

Forest

Forest
dark and silent
walk quietly
do not disturb
my reverie.

My mind wanders
as I walk
the path which
leads between
trees that bend
into me
hold me tight
in strong arms

My life is
wooded green
mellow
shielded by bark
with deep roots.

For Sumana's prompt at What's Going On? -- "When Nature Takes Your Breath Away"

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

 

source

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Yesterday's children roam free
everywhere in their neighborhood,
play outside after dark, walk by
themselves to school, bike with
friends to neighborhood parks.
They trick or treat alone for blocks.
do not fear pinned or poisoned candy.
They can wander into the woods,
pretend it's Sherwood Forest
and play for hours. They meet friends
at the mall or a movie or to bowl.
No mothers worriy.

Today's children roam within parents'
view, come inside when it is dark.
They travel to school by car or bus
or walk accompanied by parent.
Mothers take children to parks,
sit on benches to watch them play.
They trick or treat on their street,
as their parents walk along. They
play in their backyard, fantasize the
few trees as Sherwood Forest.
Friends play at one house or the other
Still mothers worry.

Tomorrow's children roam their home,
whether it is day or night. They travel
to school by computer. Parents watch
their children play video games at home
and assorted Halloween candy is now
prebagged and available at all stores.
They look at their backyard through
burglar-proof windows, see Sherwood
Forest on their iPad. They play
interactive games with friends via
computer, see all movies via Netflix.
No mothers worry.

For my prompt at What's Going On:  Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

This Poem

source

This Poem

This poem is an island
surrounded by water
I live on this island
I am surrounded by beauty
and the restless sounds of the sea,
waves speak in tongues I try to understand.

This poem is a forest
outside of the town
I live in this forest
I am surrounded by beauty
that lives beneath the trees,
between the depth of roots and the breath of leaves.

This poem is a mountain
reaching to the sky
I live in this mountain
I am surrounded by beauty
as I look down at the world,
clouds drift like peaceful thoughts below me.

This poem is a river
cutting through stone
I float on this river
I am surrounded by beauty
in its endless becoming,
each moment gone before I can hold it.

This poem is a sky
without any edge
I live in this sky
I am surrounded by beauty
in its widening silence,
which encompasses everything and is happy.

Written for Sherry's prompt at What's Going On:  "This Poem...."