I can't stop seeing you!

It was a beautiful day in the mountains

Fresh snow lay cool on the forest floor

Giant Sequoias pierced the winter blue

The trip was all we had hoped for, and more

 

As we drove down the mountain highway

and your Golden form came into view

pacing determinedly on the inner shoulder

it was so unexpected, this vision of you

 

A purposeful air to your quickening stride

You paced onward as our van drew near

Away from homes, far from a safe path

You were a sight, heartbreakingly dear

 

What were you doing out there by yourself?

I could find no answer that eased my dread

Had you been abandoned? Were you lost?

Fear for your safety screamed in my head

 

Please stop the car and turn around I pled

as we had passed him, continuing our drive

Poor thing must surely be lost or worse

chances were he would not long stay alive

 

Could you tell? Was he wearing a collar?

Please go back to him, stop, and let's see

He may have tags with his name, a number to call

If he were my dog, wouldn't you do that for me?

 

Besides, it's not safe to leave him out there

It's getting dark, he won't be as easy to see

There's room in the van, we can bring him inside

Please! He's alone and not where he should be.

 

But to my rising horror our pace didn't slow down

My words had fallen on closed hearts and deaf ears

I looked back and saw him as he rounded the bend

My spirit in sorrow, my eyes filled with tears

 

Feeling angry, now, I knew, would not help him, so

I turned back as the beauty around me rushed by

It was so clear that the Retriever was searching ...

for something only he could see in his mind's eye

 

I prayed, "Please, God, don't leave him alone.

Lead him to shelter, a safe harbor for the night.

Guide him to his loved ones. If not, to a new home.

I'm sorry we didn't stop, Lord. Please make it right."

 

His striding form played again in my head

but this time the Golden was not alone

for with every step his paws did tread

a pair of angel's feet kept pace ...

to lead the Golden home.

 

(© Kathy Pippig Harris, 2004)

*****

 

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