The Awakening

Sleeping so soundly and resting so well,
My dog curled beside me lying so still.
So peaceful, so comfy, snuggled so close
Then jarred from my bliss by his old cold nose.
He’s already been out and his tummy is full
So what is his problem as covers I pull.
Why can’t you be still, what’s wrong with you?
You’re whining, you’re wiggling and licking me to!
Are you in pain?  The thought brings such fear,
I grab him and hold him as close as I dare.
Soft is my voice as I question his antics
(to be overheard one would think me romantic).
No comfort he’ll have and fear grabs my heart,
Has he been poisoned, has death made its start?
I sit up in the bed searching for the light
Gripped in pure panic of what may be in sight.
Through teary eyes I laugh as the problem I see,
I was lying on his tail he was struggling to free.
Kathy Henderson
6 - 1999

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The Beat

Hear the beat?  It goes thump, thump, thump.
It’s the beat of a heart in a little lost dump.
How long will you hear it, not long I’m afraid,
We wouldn’t hear it if his mom had been spayed.
Listen again, can you hear the beat?
A happy sound from a little one so sweet.
This one has love, happiness and affection,
Her owners think she’s near to perfection.
Once more the sound invades our ears,
The beat of so many lost through the years.
Their heart beat in rhythm with yours and mine,
A friend indeed we had through their time.
Hear the beat?  It’s a chorus so sweet,
Vessels of love in fur coats with four feet.
The last heartbeat heard is that of our own,
Much weaker than theirs for we haven’t shown
The ability they have to give themselves free.
We’re so full of ourselves we’re deaf, you and me.
It’s for that reason we can’t understand
How their hearts beat in rhythm with that of a man!
Kathy Henderson
4 - 1999

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The Bumblebee

I once had two pups both of the same litter,
Brothers they were and quite close to each other.
Once was laid back so quiet, so meek,
Quite opposite his brother of mischief he reeked.
Sitting on the porch on a quiet summers eve
With the one sitting quietly enjoying the breeze.
His brother, the wild one, found something to stalk,
I looked to see what but before I could talk
He pounced at a bumblebee as big as his nose!
I yelled at him, no, but he wouldn’t hear
Enticed by that bee, he’s deaf with no fear.
That angry bee flew and we all dodged around
Except the one pup who watched with no sound.
Well the bee found a target, the quiet pups nose,
In shock and in pain straight up he rose.
Did two double back flips while screaming in pain
Then ran in tight circles still screaming the same.
I knew he was hurt tho I couldn’t stop the laughter
That hampered my steps as him I chased after.
His nose swelled so big, he whimpered and cried
As I worked and I tried to relieve its great size.
I got him calmed down and relief from his pain
Then turned to his brother my thoughts were profane!
For once sitting quiet so innocent those eyes,
Guiltless you see of his brother’s demise.
Before I could speak the one stung made his angry charge
And whipped his brother all over that yard!
He seemed to know the culprit you see,
That brought him such pain when stung by that bee.
This story happened so long ago,
They’ve been gone a long time, I loved those two so.
The memories they gave, my two little clowns,
Not one day was boring with those two around.
I can’t help but chuckle at the events of that day
When I visit their spot, the ground where they lay.
Kathy Henderson
6 - 1999

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