A year ago, we lost our beautiful golden retriever called Blondie. Hard as it was, I had to write a poem: a tribute to my dog and her glory.
I sometimes walk in the park, beneath the trees where we once played. But a walk without her, is not and will never be the same again.
But when a leaf fell from our favourite tree today, I'm sure Nature was sending me a message from beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
The first, a middle and the last ever photo of Blondie.
A Falling Leaf
Today a leaf fell on my head
for summer’s sun had long since fled
The leaf was brown and almost dead
I rescued it from reckless tread
I studied Leaf’s old brittle veins
I thought of life’s past joys and pains
I thought of life; how much remains?
I thought of days, like links in chains
I did not want that leaf to die
Just me, I knew the reason why.
So thankful that it chose to fly
and spend with me, its final sigh …
My dog and I, five feet beneath
four months before had seen that leaf
along a branch of green belief
when we were blind to Autumn’s grief
Now frost descends on winter’s wend
Two seasons cusp; no start, no end
I know, however, I’ll not spend
another walk with my best friend
From branch, to head, to hand today
a leaf fell from a tree to say:
Hold on to our shared Summer’s day
Where me and you and dog did play
Mark Bird