Our nearly three month old puppy, Nanuk, passed suddenly this weekend. You see him below in a picture taken last week.
There are many wonderful pet loss poems out there but none seemed to contain the language for what my heart wants to say. So I decided to re-post this poem I wrote a few years ago, to remind me of two things: nothing that is cherished ever truly perishes and Nanuk is in the heavens now, carried on the wings of the air.
past the borders of happiness and unhappiness
a rim of fire oaks bid me on the blue horizon
smooth hand like leaves held me there
while the first hard rain fell
I kneeled and leaned into the heady fragrance
of an ancient wisdom revealed
beneath the old rough timber
it spoke of the delicate balance in being
at once firmly rooted while gently yielding
whenever the fall winds swept through
I heard of the necessity of winter’s annual arrival
for stillness is the silent cathedral of the earth
I learned that what drops away gives rise to rich black loam
so that nothing that is cherished ever perishes
listening intently now, the old knowing timber whispered
how it never seeks to contain what cuts deep
no, you give it up to the low slung clouds overhead
to be carried on the wings of the air
©heartsdeesire
This is wonderful Beth. I started reading and thought…I’ve never read this Mary Oliver poem before. And now I know why :-) You are most amazing!
gosh, in the same company as Mary Oliver?! Someday I’ll self publish a book of my poems just for you.
bethie – just stunningly beautiful. i love love LOVE TREES and this is exquisite. yes, indeed, the stillness of winter is the cathedral of earth (of life, of our bodies). embrace the stillness of the forests and you are changed forever. xoxo
Hi Reggie – so nice to see you here and your beautiful picture!
I am so with you on this! Hi, my name is Beth and I am a tree hugger :) Love you!
I love popping over to your blog and reading your deliciousness..: ) Bless <3
Thank you for popping over Sydney. I just decided to revisit this poem and had not seen this comment from you until now. xo