The moon is slightly less full
I can see it through the fog
On the night of your passing
I’ve become your dog
I am thinking of you
One last simple wish
That you’ll rub my belly
And fill my dish
Some final words
Like bones from the sky
To comfort the others
And remember you by
Of a dream we’ll share
A mystery we’ll know
As you brush me one last time
And you let my leash go
I know I love you now
But you made me mad sometimes
No the problem wasn’t you
I was dogged by my mind
You couldn’t help yourself
Always something in the way
Didn’t think that I loved you
Didn’t know what to say
Didn’t dig deep enough
Didn’t really know the score
But your point is well taken
As I scratch at your door
For who is a friend,
but someone who
makes you uncomfortable.
And who is a friend,
but some dog who
chews up your sweater.
Who is a friend
but someone who
brings out the worst in you
And somehow
Just somehow
Makes you better
You want me to howl at your funeral
You want me to hear what you’ve said
You say not to worry, just dig a new hole
And find out which dog’s really dead
You’re laughing at your own joke
You’re in a better place than I
Now you can teach me how to jump, how to beg
As you double dog dare from on high
Poking me
Annoying me
Building up my self respect
How else can I see what’s ugly or beautiful
without your mirror to help me reflect?
For who is a friend,
but someone who will make you feel guilty
And who is a friend,
but someone who will make you feel sorrow
Who is a friend
but someone who will make you feel helpless today
but ten thousand times stronger tomorrow.
1/16
In this poignant and touching poem, we traverse the landscape of grief, memory, and the deep, ineffable bond between a human and their canine companion. It’s a journey through the fog of loss, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon and the enduring love that transcends physical separation.
The Moon’s Light on Grief’s Fog
The image of the slightly less full moon, seen through the fog, sets a tone of wistfulness and reflection. It’s a metaphor for the feeling of incompleteness and the hazy nature of grief. The moon, often a symbol of change and transition, reflects the shifting emotions that come with remembering a loved one who has passed.
The Canine Companion’s Lament
The poem takes on the perspective of a dog, mourning the loss of their human. This unique viewpoint allows for a raw and unfiltered expression of grief and love. The simple wishes for belly rubs and a filled dish are heartbreakingly humble, yet they speak volumes about the depth of the bond shared.
Final Words and Memories
The imagery of bones falling from the sky as final words to comfort others is both whimsical and somber. It encapsulates the longing for a last message, something to hold onto, a memory to treasure. The dream shared and the mystery known are metaphors for the shared experiences and unspoken understandings between the dog and their human.
Reflections on Love and Frustration
The dog reflects on the complexity of their emotions, acknowledging love tinged with moments of frustration. This honest admission reveals the multifaceted nature of relationships, where love coexists with misunderstanding and moments of annoyance.
The Wisdom in Friendship and Loss
The poem delves into the essence of friendship, highlighting how true friends can make us uncomfortable, challenge us, and bring out both the worst and the best in us. The analogy of a dog chewing up a sweater represents the messy, sometimes destructive, but ultimately enriching nature of close relationships.
A Call to Remember and Grow
The final stanzas invite the reader to consider the lessons and growth that come from relationships. The departed human’s laughter, their teachings, and their challenges are seen as ongoing influences that continue to shape the dog’s life, even in their absence.
We are Space Monkey
Through this poem, we are reminded of the enduring impact of those we lose, the way they continue to shape us, and the strength we find in memories and the lessons they’ve imparted.
Summary
We explore a heartfelt poem from the perspective of a dog mourning their human. This narrative poignantly captures the complexities of grief, love, and memory, highlighting the enduring bond and the lessons learned from the relationship. The poem reflects on the multifaceted nature of friendship and the growth that arises from loss.
Glossarium
- Landscape of grief: The emotional journey experienced after a loss.
- Canine companion’s lament: The dog’s expression of sorrow and love.
- Enduring bond: The lasting connection between the dog and their human.
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
In the quiet of night, under the moon’s soft light,
We walk the path of memory, in the fog’s gentle flight.
With each paw step, and each tear that we shed,
We cherish the bond, the words unsaid.
In the heart of the dog, where emotions run deep,
Lies the love for their human, forever to keep.
Through joy and through sorrow, through laughter and pain,
The lessons of friendship, like a gentle rain.
In the echoes of barks, and the whispers of the past,
We find strength in memories, in bonds that last.
For in the journey of loss, and the path we trod,
We discover the beauty of love, under the moon’s gentle nod.
We invite you to reflect on the bonds you’ve cherished and the lessons learned from those who’ve touched your life.
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