THE DOGS THAT WALKED BESIDE US

The gentle elders
of the park have left us,

they walked behind the pack,
yet led in stature and grace,

their journey
worth every hard-earned step,

even on the toughest days,
when their aging bodies
couldn’t keep up,

they longed to be
among us,

over the years they filled
a special place in our hearts,

a place that needed filling,

our precious pets,
our steadfast friends,
our greatest fans,

may we never forget,

the dogs that walked beside us.

Photo by Estelle Boyaka
This poem was written in memory of several beloved dogs who passed
in recent weeks. They were friends to all of us.

Dreaming on Harp Shaped Wings

As we dip our oars in the pristine river,
the cello cradles us like newborns,
navigating through a soothing clarinet of sounds,

with little warning,
timpani and trumpets warn of danger ahead,
fluted wind carries us over rapids,
through quick turns,
past boulders,
into sudden drops,

an orchestral powerhouse of energy
coursing through us,

no time for distraction or fear,
all focus on each moment,
each determined slice of oars through water,

with a sudden decrescendo,
the rapids cease,
heartrates slow,
the cello sighs in relief,

sunlight blinks on the water,
a symphony of birds soar,
a chorus of frogs bassoon,

gentle violins and oboes sing us home,
leading us back to safe harbor
where sweet dreams float on harp shaped wings.

The poem was inspired by the music from Fountains of Rome
which was composed by Ottorino Respighi in 1916.

Photo – Mysterious Man Sitting on Chair Playing Cello
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