Good Girl
I never asked for all those happy years
I never asked for you to kiss away my tears
I never asked for your loyalty
or your ability
to make me smile
with you silly style.
Your chocolate eyes
were all I needed to silence my cries.
When we were younger
and I grew somber,
Nine the clock would chime
because it was bed time,
You would open my door
and climb into bed to snore
beside me
I'd cuddle up to you with glee.
I'd kiss you goodnight
Your kiss back was always a slight
bit wetter than mine
but that was fine.
A little later across the ocean I flew
and I had to leave you
I died
a little inside
after that my life
was filled with strife.
Years passed and I back tracked
home but still your presence I lacked.
Years more I begged and pleaded
and went unheeded.
But finally my dad gave way
and once again with us you came to stay.
When you and I were reunited
my joyful cries could not be quieted.
You were older, eyebrows turned white,
with poor eyesight.
You sagged
Your eyes bagged.
I didn't care
If you were worse for ware,
Again I was fine
because you were mine.
We didn't have much more time together.
Often you were under the weather
I was alarmed at you lumps girth
....you were not much longer for this earth.
Soon you weren't able to sleep tight
during the night
Your lungs would strain
You were in pain
The realization hurt deep
It was time to let you sleep.
You were so warm
With you head cuddled in my arm
The syringe pushed in
Your eyes drooped thin
I lean in near
To your triangular ear
And whisper just before you go
Goodbye, I love you Cocoa.
-In memoriam of my old saggy dog. You were a good girl. ~Died 2010
A few of my tears drip onto my hands with the last lines. My breathing more labored, my vision blurred by visions of the past and the love they stir up. I will always miss and never forget my brown saggy dog.
On her last day she took a small nap. Her legs twitched and the sides of her mouth tweaked up in a smile. One day stuck in my head as the cute scene played before me. Of a day long since past when both I and her were more nimble. Dad had just cut the lawn. Cocoa and I decided this was the perfect time to play in the sprinkler. We jumped and rolled about getting covered head to toe with the fresh clippings. She bit at the water and I joined in with trying to vanquish our liquid foe. This memory played again and again in my head. I wondered if this is what she she was dreaming.
