This was written for dVerse. Thanks, Frank, for today’s prompt of heartbreak and frustration.
Photo by Sascha Darlington, Deep Dream Generated
Summer and Dog
The day is short
cicadas and crickets
mark moments chattering
before burying themselves
this song their last life essence.
The evening is hot still
lending thoughts of summer
and the dog-sized hole
in my chest refusing to shrink.
I never speak aloud the words
of missing, of heartbreak;
who would understand
except a like soul, human mother
to heart dog?
A hardness accumulates in people
“what did you expect?”
Alas, I didn’t. I just loved,
the way you do when love returns
without obligation, unconditionally,
and understanding builds between
two species, one who cannot
live long enough,
another with too much
love to spare.
And time does not heal,
not such breaks, not easily,
but does, if possible, sweeten
memories of summer and dog.
Awwww – the loss is palpable. I remember how long afterwards I still heard the jingle of his collar, his pitter patter on the floor, would rise at night to let him out, only he was gone. Hugs.
Thanks, VJ. 🙂
“and the dog-sized hole/in my chest refusing to shrink”: This bit is so evocative.
Time doesn’t necessarily heal; yes, it sweetens the memories and their pain and sometimes even that can be overbearing. This heartbreak is beautifully inscribed in your words through the end of summer motifs.
-HA
Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂
Nice lines: “the dog-sized hole
in my chest refusing to shrink.” I also liked “human mother
to heart dog?” I remember a dog from decades ago–I still remember him.
Those are the ones that never leave us.
Thanks so much, Frank!
My heart has been there. So sorry…well done.
Thank you so much, Susan. Sorry for the late reply.
The animal stuff always gets me. I know those animal-shaped holes all too well.
Thank you so much.
Sorry for the late reply!
Beautiful poem, https://youtu.be/x9elfbze8Lo need support from you
Thank you so much. Great animation, btw.
Sorry for the late reply.
Oh my goodness, Sascha, you’ve brought tears to my eyes. I know that dog-sized hole in your chest so well, even after more than seven years it refuses to shrink.I love the phrase ‘human mother to heart dog’.
Thank you so much, Kim.
Sorry for the late reply.
the bond between mother and fur baby is a precious one and the loss, yes as you said it, time does not heal it easily.
Thank you so much, Gina.
I apologize for the late response!
no worries at all my dear!
Thanks. I was more than a bit mortified to see how many comments I hadn’t answered on that poem. 🙁
shows you how much your writing is loved and admired!
You are always such an optimistic soul. Thank you! 🙂
A beautiful poem. So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend.
Thank you so much, Dwight.
I apologize for the late response!
A loving tribute to a fur friend. Well said.
Thank you so much, Beverly.
I’m sorry for the late reply.
As a dogmom who has lost 6 and is of course utterly in love with my 7th dogchild, this made my heart ache with recognition.
–Fireblossom
Thank you for reading. It never gets easier.
Sorry for the late reply.
Oh how much you can mourn a companion like that… somehow we always now it will come, but still we are never prepared.
So true, Bjorn. Waiting for that magic elixir.
Sorry for the late reply.
Dogs (and all animals) really do a number on our heart when they leave us. I might have a dog-sized hole in my heart too. I loved this.
Thank you so much, Teresa. Yes, our heart’s are never the same, but maybe they’re not supposed to be.
Sorry for the late reply.
Alas, a world without poetry would be dismal…loss and love poems abound!
Thank you, Kathy.
Sorry for the late reply.
A like soul, human mother to heart-dog will always understand Sascha 💜 Sending hugs 💞 xxx
Thank you, Xena. I know you do understand. Hugs.
Sorry for the late reply.
🙂💖 xxx