Last night I saw you in my dreams
a brilliant light engulfed your soul.
And through my sleepy reverie
a glorious message did unfold.
The voice was that of angel harps
as you told me of the way
in which the bridge kids celebrate
this extraordinary day.
A radiant warmth ran through me
when you tenderly detailed
a special place I've never been
where splendid love prevails.
You told me how the bridge kids
hold their paws and pray
for peace on earth, goodwill toward men
on this special, holy day.
Each bridge kid makes a heartfelt wish
to the Keeper of the stars,
they wish each stray a new-found home
without concrete floors or bars.
They ask that every homeless one
the Keeper not forget,
for each one has the soul to be
a loyal, loving pet.
I watch you drift away from me
as in early dawn I find
the spirit of your paw-print message
still vivid in my mind.
I hold the message near my heart
and with a smile I hear
a lullby of angel harps
singing in my ear.
(Copyright 1997
by Terri Onorato. All Rights Reserved.)
Lend Me a Pup
I will lend to you for awhile,a German Shepherd
pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn
for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe
two or three
But will you, 'till I call him back, take
care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and (should
his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories as solace
for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from
earth return
But there are lessons taught below I want
this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search
of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd's life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love Nor think
the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my GSD back
again.
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord
Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this GSD will bring, the
risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness we'll love
him while we may
And for the happiness we've known forever
grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than
we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and
try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes
to achieve
In memory of him we loved, to help us while
we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world
of strife,
We'll have yet another GSD and love him all
his life.
-author unknown