She cannot say good-bye

It is a comfortable little place - their home

and it is paid for, cozy, and theirs alone

Just the two of them, therein, reside

... an older lady and the aging canine

Listening to the radio, as the storm grew

tears well in her eyes, upon hearing the news

She gazes at her friend, and he regards her, too

Reporters are saying everyone must now go ...

she was to pack only what she needed from home. 

She shakes her head and wonders, Didn't they know?

that folks like her had no means to get away

and no car of their own. 

But officials called to say public transport would stop by;

they'd take her and her things, but her beloved friend could not ride

Tears fall as thunder and lightning rent the damp air

Her friend pads over, then leans against her, there in her chair 

Sensing her sadness, the old dog wags his tail

As the wind past their porch swells to a wail

he reaches up and reassuringly licks her hand

And as he has always, by her side, he will stand! 

She sobs at his sweet, loyal gesture, for he does not know

that on this journey, her dearest friend will not go

They had weathered life's storms and both had grown gray

She worries as they were never long, from the other, away 

She rises slowly when she hears the knock on the door

a man takes her bags, saying, "I’m sorry, ma’am, it’s

now or never - we can wait no more." 

When the old dog follows her, she says, "No, go inside where it's safe."

his expression is one of bewilderment and hurt, as rain pelts his face

When she steps into the bus, she hears him whimper and cry

She cannot turn around to him. She cannot say good-bye

She studies the man who holds her bags, then she steps off the bus

When she reaches her friend, she says, "No future is as important

as the gift that is us."

She bends down and, happily crying, embraces her furry soul mate

"The worst storm ever is near, but alone, you will not have to wait." 

Later, as the night explodes 'round them,

and she draws him snug to her side,

he lifts his fuzzy head, stares lovingly at her

and she contentedly sighs. 

For on this, their last journey,

the two would be together

always …

… now … and forever 

(© Kathy Pippig Harris, 2005;

Author’s note:

“Dedicated to a future where, in a disaster, we will not be torn apart from our furry kin!”)

*****

I would like to thank Kathy Pippig Harris for her kind permission to publish her poems and writings on my blog.