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Poems
This page contains a collection of poems and other writings that I have found
comforting in dealing with grief over the loss of a furangel.
I have credited the author, when known, and indicated copyrights where
appropriate.
If you are aware of any copyright violations, please
email me and I will remove the offending material as quickly as possible.
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The Rainbow Bridge
(Author unknown)
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who are hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
They all run and play together, but the day comes
when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group,
flying over the green grass,
his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together ... never again to be separated.
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I Only Wanted You
(Author Unknown)
They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
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If I Should Grow Frail
(Author unknown)
If it should be I grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this — the last battle — can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand.
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years
That what's to come can hold no fears.
You wouldn't want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend.
Only...stay with me until the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years...
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
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Grieve Not
(Isla Paschal Richardson)
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so —
'twas Heaven here with you.
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Living Love
(Martin Scot Kosins)
(Author of "Maya's First Rose")
If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember...
The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your
young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may
have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in
finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just
chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter — simply because something in
its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home,
and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front
room — and when you feel it brush against you for the first time — it
instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many
years to come.
The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will
be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a
surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age
where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you
once saw energy. And you will see sleep where you once saw activity. So
you will begin to adjust your friend's diet — and you may add a pill or
two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself,
which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy
feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.
And on this day — if your friend and God have not decided for you,
then you will be faced with making a decision of your own — on behalf of
your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit.
But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you — you will feel as
alone as a single star in the dark night.
If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often
as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in
your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief,
or comfort you.
But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the
many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul — a bit smaller in size
than your own — seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days
to come.
And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to
happen, you may feel something brush against your leg — very very
lightly.
And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest,
friend used to lay — you will remember those three significant days. The
memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart — As
time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own. You
will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you
reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you.
Either way, it will still be an ache.
But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when — along with the
memory of your pet — and piercing through the heaviness in your
heart — there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will
be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have
loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love — like
the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted,
this Love will remain and grow — and be there for us to remember. It is a
love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go.
And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love
which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our
Beloved Pets — it is a Love that we will always possess.
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A Prayer for Animals
(Albert Schweitzer)
Hear our humble prayer,
O God,
for our friends, the animals,
especially for those who are suffering;
for any that are lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry.
We entreat for them all
Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves,
to be true friends to animals
and so to share
the blessings
of the merciful.
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When The Time Comes
(John Quealy)
Lord, when the time comes please help me be strong
my furry friend is sick; something's terribly wrong
The vet checked her over; there's nothing he can do
I'm afraid soon I'll be sending her; home to You
Please take her back home; on the wings of a dove
into Your loving arms; up in heaven above
Take her to a meadow; where she can play and run free
under bright sunlight; among the green grass and trees
She's been a part of my life now; for so many years
I'll miss her so much; my eyes are filling with tears
Please give me the courage; to tell her good-bye
as I know she'll watch over me; through her loving eyes
I'll never forget her; I'll see her one day
tell her we'll meet at the Bridge; then we'll go play
I'll cherish the memories; of the time we both had
they'll put a smile on my face; then I won't feel as bad
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Stray Cat
(Francis Witham)
Oh, what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate?
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter, warmth and food
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny.
While he, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
He scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed.
He ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day he died.
So if you really think, oh Cat,
I'd willingly relive all that
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well....don't just stand there...
Come on in!
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Lend Me A Kitten
(Author unknown)
I will lend to you for awhile a kitten, God said.
For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and, should his stay be brief
you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught below I want this kitten to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true.
And from the folk that crowds life's land I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take my kitten home again?
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done"
For all the joys this kitten brings the risk of grief I'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve,
Then in memory of him who we loved, please help us while we grieve.
When our cherished kitten departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul for us to love all his life.
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May I Go?
(Susan A. Jackson)
May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and living light.
I want to go — I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.
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Where You Used To Be
(Edna St. Vincent Millay)
Where you used to be,
there is a hole in the world,
which I find myself constantly
walking around in the daytime,
and falling in at night.
I miss you like hell.
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I Am Not There
(Author unknown)
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifiting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
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Hello, Little One |
(Linda Gillian)
© Copyright 1998, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Hello little one, |
Let me show you around; those
things on your shoulders? They're wings, you're an angel now. |
Your humans? Don't worry,
they know you're here. |
Yes, they're very sad, but they'll
get better, because they know you won't hurt any more, or be sick anymore, and
that you'll be happy. Of course it's true ... I know, you miss them too, but one
day, you can stand at the bridge and watch them cross over and you'll never be
separated again. |
Who are all these other angels?
They used to live on earth too, just like you did. I know, there are a lot of
them. Yes, we have plenty of room. |
Up here, there are butterflies to
chase (you're not allowed to catch them), green grass to walk on or roll in,
catnip to sniff, chairs to sleep in ... I know, I know ... you loved to sleep in
your person's lap ... one day you can do that again ... and a lot of sunshine. |
Who is that man? That's St.
Francis ... he's the friend of all animals. Yes, he does look a little sad ... there
are still so many to help, and not enough hands to do the job. Oh yes, we know all
about your human ... yes, we know about the kindness, the love, and the open hands
ready to help or hold a new lost one. No, you don't have to worry about
that ... they'll cross the bridge when their time comes ... yes, I'm sure. |
What's that bright light? That's God,
this is His house ... no, you don't have to be afraid little one, you're one of His
angels now, and you're welcome here. Don't be afraid ... go say hello ... He's been
expecting you. That's right, hold your tail high, hold your head up. |
Excuse me, I have to go now, there's
someone coming ... |
Hello, little one ....... |
|
For all of us who have
loved and cherished one of God's own ....... |
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The Fragile Circle
(Irving Townsend)
from The Once Again Prince
We who choose to surround ourselves with lives
even more temporary than our own
live within a fragile circle,
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan.
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