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Lightning-Strike Pet Loss Support Forum > Pet Loss Support > Death and Dying Pet Support
BabyHannahsMom
You are my child
Whether or not I bear children,
Whether or not this world says of me, “she is mother,”
I know that others do not see what I see.
I see what is.
You are my child.

Your bark speaks your heart to me,
Your purr strums my primordial soul,
Your fur, your feathers, your eyes, your touch –
These are as elemental as earth, fire, wind, water.

Your life is short, while mine is long -

(A lesson learned when my brother died
And my mother said,
“This is not natural. No mother should see a child die.”)
Even so, even knowing this truth,
Knowing that you will die before I do,
And knowing that this unnatural order is, after all, inevitable,
I welcome you as my child, my own.
Even if I could die before you,
I do not wish it so.
You would grieve as much as I…maybe more.

I would keep you safe from this pain, this grief, this wound.
And so I take you lovingly, willingly, knowingly,
as my child.

And I do not wish it undone, even with grief already borne,
and grief yet to come.
For I have always loved you,
And I will love you beyond death.
You are my child.


©Barbara Allen
Pamela
That was truely a bueatiful poem.
DJ - Edgar, Jesse, Tom's Mom
It is a beautiful piece of writing - it reminds me quite clearly that one of my greatest fears is that I will die and leave my little furry one to fend for himself.
Kathleen032
Another beautiful poem.

Thank you.
Kathleen
Ann H
Hi Marcia,
Thanks for posting this, the poem really says it all. That's the way I think of my babies as being my children. Love to you.
Ann
zoeysdad
Beautiful poem, Marcia. Thanks for posting it.

Before reading this, it had never occured to me how my Little Man would have grieved for me if I had died before him. As devoted to me as he was, if I had been suffering from a terminal illness, he could not have done much to ease any physical pain I may have had. I could do this for him, though I never thought I could. I did, but knowing I gave the ok to end his life is still difficult to accept. When I think back on that sad day, it was Little Man himself who told me it was ok. He was always a great communicator and with the special bond we had, he assured me this was what he wanted.

If I had died first, I know my family would have taken him and cared for him, but I honestly believe he would have grieved himself to death. There were times when I'd have to leave him with my family for a few days and he always just sat in the window, looking for me. He wouldn't eat and was always just miserable the entire time I was gone.

For the most part, we were together 24/7 and he was just lost without me as I am now without him. Even during those last two days of his life, when he was paralyzied on his left side, I'd have to put him where he could see me at all times or he'd try to drag himself around the house trying to find me. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that I'm taking his death so hard. How could I not miss him and how much he loved me?
Muffins
Thank you Marcia, for another beautiful poem.....

I appreciate that you share these wonderful poems with all of us..........
It does help me to heal further, and helps me with our newest furkids......(Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster)....

I was sharing with a friend today how, if I hadn't miscarried, Ben and I would have "a little human toddler", who would just turn 3 in January...... wub.gif

But, I DO KNOW that our sweet lil' baby........whether a boy or girl.........Is taken care of, and loved, by all those that have gone before us!! biggrin.gif I truly believe "that God knows"....... Our sweet baby was better off in Heaven! smile.gif

God Bless you Marcia..........Love, Denise xoxo
jillybromley
That is such a beautiful poem. Thank you so much for it. Tears came when I read the lines. Yes, it is so true, that even as we make the committment to bring a new furbaby into our lives, we already know that there will be a time of parting and sorrow.

But maybe we keep it out of our consciousness, or hope it will be a long way into the future. But I for one willing take on all the grief and unrelenting pain of loosing my baby just for the fact of being blessed with her prescence during the time she was with me.

love
jilly
Rusty's Mom
What wonderful and true words.

Lynn
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