At the Bridges Gate
Above the distant tree-line
Above the far off mountain crest
Above them all in passing clouds
Is where your soul has gone to rest
Beyond the sun -- Beyond the moon
High above the twinkling star
Your spirit climbed toward them
I know you'll be watching from afar
You'll be joined by several others
That I have loved that passed this way
You'll keep each other company
As you wait for me each day
A friend of yours was joined today
You stood and watched with glee
You Stand for each arrival
Just in case it might be me
It's not time yet
You'll have to wait
But I know you're waiting
At the Bridge's gate
-andrea dodas-martin
(1/96)
MY OL'FRIEND
I think I'll go inside now.
Would you like to come?
The winter's sun is setting low.
Inside I'm brewing tea,
Would you care for some?
We will stoke the fire and press our flesh
Against the flames' warm glow.
There's no reason our talk should end,
We'll ignore the season's early dusk
For inside there is plenty left to do
Before our beds do beckon us.
Now at this moment, memories call
With all their factors here.
The weary way we favor our
Muscled limbs from head to toe
Gives pause to long past deeds undone
And those we cherish most.
Remember when with youthful step
The rabbit could not us out run?
We hunted him in spring's fresh breeze
Through summer's endless heat, then
We watched the birds in futile flight
Avoiding winter's certain approach
Heading for the southern light.
Well now, old friend,
We hug before the fire.
In the flames we see ourselves
The way we used to be.
Don't take me wrong,
I love you still.
I most certainly always will.
You've been my best friend
Through all these years,
No need for it to end.
Lick me now, my old dog,
The way you always do
When we celebrate good news
With joyful celebration,
Shaking all over with reckless abandon.
Ahhh, enough of this, but it's been fun.
It's time for your evening bowl.
You must be hungry by now,
We will eat our meal
And rest our traveled bones
And shun the evening's void
To rise tomorrow morn
The way we always have
With truthful hearts and renewed strength
That life is good to friends.
-- Submitted by E.E.Biller
They adopt me and feed me
and give me a place to stay
But they leave me all alone
whenever they go away.
They talk to me, y'know,
they think I understand.
And they're not particular
where they put a hand.
There I was lying on my back,
just quietly watching telly.
All of a sudden a big cold hand
started tickling on my belly
I could have really bit it, y'know,
but I would have had regrets
'cause we've got to play it cool, us dogs,
if we're to stay as pets!
-- Submitted by Scott Traylor
SAMMIE
As I watch him by the fire,
I see the human in him.
He looks at me with tired eyes
as the flames roar behind him.
I think to myself, does he understand me?
Does he love me as I love him?
He stands up and walks to me,
puts his golden face in my lap, and licks my hand.
That is when I realize that he does.
-- Submitted by Noelle Christine
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