Dog Years

[BobBradshaw]

Dog Years


Ashlyn turned 4 years old yesterday.
I have written a poem for her to read
when she turns 25, a year

before I imagine her marrying.
According to actuaries
I will have said Sayonara by then.

My cat leaps onto my lap
as if to distract me from glum thoughts
--or she needs a massage.

Sonny barks, reminding me
who is my favorite.
He is expected to live

another 8, 10 human years
while I age as if my life left
is less than one dog year.

By actuarial calculations
he will attend my funeral,
and my cat?

She will have moved on
to her afternoon nap, grief
a squirrel she refuses to chase.

Sonny, will you sit by my graveside
awaiting my return?
Will you grow nostalgic?

Remember chasing pigeons
into a burst of feathers?
We gazed at each other afterwards

pleased with our team efforts
as if we were held together
by more than mere loyalty

or team goals, and would be
even after the heart’s leash
was finally released.

Or will you return home with the cat
to protect my memory?
Will you growl at relatives

touring my house,
barking when their grubby hands ruffle
my baseball card collection

that’s meant for Ashlyn?
Will your teeth tug at trousers
as their small eyes brighten

seeing work by famed
New York painters hung in the hallway?
Will you chase them away like pigeons?

What about my granddaughter,
who used to rush into my arms
on the spur of the moment?

Will Ashlyn be spongy eyed
walking from my grave?
Will you be there to comfort her?

Won’t I miss the skirts of wind
and the flutter of leaves
chasing each other like chickadees,

the sunlight on my face? Even more,
won’t I miss the precious name
of Ashlyn on my tongue—and yes,

Sonny, your tongue’s sloppy kisses.
Why, dammit, should I leave this world
where I am loved, if only by a few?

[RamanathanSiva]

I nominate this poem, ‘Dog Years’ by Bob for the July IBPC.

[BobBradshaw]

Thank you, Siva

[Michael (MV)]

Actually, that would be a nomination for the August IBPC -

and Siva, and Bob, I am making a note of it here on the 12th of July.

Siva, please also remember to voice your nomination of this poem by Bob in the August IBPC thread, which I will start over ar Palaver around the 28th of July.

Thanks,

Michael (MV)

I nominate this poem, ‘Dog Years’ by Bob for the July IBPC.

[BobBradshaw]

Thanks, Michael

[Michael (MV)]

Bob,

This was a good poem to read today, or any day.

Reminds me of a stray dog that came into my life my senior year of college.

If I died before that dog, that dog was sure to follow too, dying of grief.

I have heard it said that in Heaven - the Haven of the Humane - our pets will be with us.

Why not - I believe the Lord provided that pet to me - on Earth as it is in Heaven


Thanks, Bob, for the experience of your highly recommended poem,

Michael (MV)

[BobBradshaw]

Thanks for sharing, Michael

[BobBradshaw]

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