A Light Lost

You were frightened, but you wanted to love.
You distrusted, but there were moments when - almost - you would rest your head.
You were always on guard, but you dreamed of learning to play.
You knew no one would protect you, but there were thoughts, or memories, of having a friend.
And we wanted to rescue you, to let you know you were safe. 
If we had stroked your lovely coat just one more time.....
If we had run with you just a little faster, or more often, in the grass..... Then maybe you would have been able to believe.

We will never know if we failed you, or if life had failed you too harshly before we met.
We will not know if you heard us and couldn't answer, or if you had lost the power to hear before we spoke.
We cannot know if you will forgive and wait for us at the Bridge, But we know that we will look for you.
You, also, are one of ours -- and we loved you as best we could.

by Elizabeth Sommers

Disposable ???

I was born in the summer a few years ago;
Quite why I was born I never will know.
Some folks owned my mother; decided to breed ...
No reason I know of except for their greed.
I know I was hungry, I know I was cold
And they sold me quite early, at just five weeks old.
Owners number one seemed friendly at first
And life was quite good, until my bubble burst.
They started to argue; their marriage split up
And in went the ad, for sale 4 month pup.
Some more folks arrived, the next ones in line ...
They treated me kindly, and life was just fine.
But the master dropped dead, and she couldn't cope
So they sold me again as I began to lose hope.
I now had a new home up in the sky ...
We went up the lift, fourteen floors high.
The new folks were kind, but they left me all day.
I was busting to pee, and had no where to play.
It was boredom, I think, when I chewed up that chair.
They agreed I should go, but it just wasn't fair.
The next home was good and I thought this was it ...
They started to show, and I won ... well ... a bit.
Then somebody told them that I had "no bone,"
And in went the ad, for sale to good home.
The next lot were dreadful ... they wanted a guard,
But I didn't know that ... although I tried hard.
One night they got burgled and I didn't bark,
Tied up in that shed, alone in the dark.
For four months I lay in that cold dark shed
With only an old paper sack for a bed,
A small dish of water all slimy and green ...
The state I was in, well, it had to be seen.
I longed for some help, for an end to the pain,
Then some new people came, and I went off again.
So now I'm with rescue, and this home is good! There are walks in the country and lots of good food ...
There are kisses and cuddles to greet me each day
And I dread the time that they send me away.
But for now here I stand, skin and bone, on all fours ...
PLEASE!!! Don't let this happen to any of yours.

~~unknown

Supplication of the Black Aberdeen

Thine is the Voice with which my Day begins:
Thy Foot my refuge, even in my sins.
Thine Honour hurls me forth to testify
Against the Unclean and Wicked passing by.
(But when Thou callest they are of Thy Friends,
Who readier than I to make amends?)
I was Thy Deputy with high and low --
If Thou dismiss me, whither shall I go?

I have been driven forth on gross offence
That took no reckoning of my penitence.
And, in my desolation -- faithless me! --
Have crept for comfort to a woman's knee!
Now I return, self-drawn, to meet the just
Reward of Riot, Theft and Breach of Trust.
Put me not from Thy Life -- though this is so.
If Thou forsake me, whither shall I go?

Into The Presence, flattening while I crawl --
From head to tail, I do confess it all.
Mine was the fault -- deal me the stripes -- but spare
The Pointed Finger which I cannot bear!
The Dreadful Tone in which my Name is named,
That sends me 'neath the sofa-frill ashamed!
(Yet, to be near Thee, I would face that woe.)
If Thou reject me, whither shall I go?

Can a gift turn Thee ? I will bring mine all --
My Secret Bone, my Throwing-Stick, my Ball.
Or wouldst Thou sport ? Then watch me hunt awhile,
Chasing, not after conies, but Thy Smile.
Content, as breathless on the turf I sit,
Thou shouldst deride my little legs and wit --
Ah ! Keep me in Thy Life for a fool's show!
If Thou deny me, whither shall I go? ...

Is the Dark gone ? The Light of Eyes restored?
The Countenance turned meward, O my Lord?
The Paw accepted, and, -- for all to see --
The Abject Sinner throned upon the Knee?
The Ears bewrung, and Muzzle scratched because
He is forgiven, and All is as It was?
Now am I in Thy Life, and since 'tis so --
That Cat awaits the Judgment. May I go?

~Rudyard Kipling

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