I’m Still Here

A close friend of mine lost her sweet, four legged friend yesterday. He wasn’t just a dog, or a pet, he was a big part of her family, and he had, and still has, his own special place to curl up inside of my heart. He was always such a ball of sunshine, with his dashing personality. This poem, “I’m Still Here,” by an unknown author, reminds me of my friend and her pug, who will always be a part of our world, and will never be forgotten.

Roxy!

Roxy went crazy for squeaky toys!

Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight-
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach-
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me, friend, I’m everyplace!

Animal People on the Road

I found an old notebook today while cleaning out a cluttered drawer and came across some jabbering I wrote two years ago, comparing people in traffic to animals.

A swarm of angry hornets, buzzing down the highway.

Following the same direction, not wanting to be last, like a zeal of zebras.

Hands slamming on horns– snarling — starving wolves, each wanting to eat first.

Sly foxes, all wanting to outsmart the ones ahead.

Seeming to say, “I’m special and you’re not.”

Windows open, their music is better than yours.

Cars rattling like threatened snakes. “Don’t mess with me.”

Like horseshoe crabs, safe inside their shells.

When I Was A Kid In The Summer

Buzz of the pool, barbeque’s glossy air

Swaying beneath painted skies

Drops of chlorine slipping from the ends of my hair

Splattering around prune-like toes, mixing with the popsicle raining down my sticky wrists

Family and neighbors laughing with food in their mouths

Dog’s eyes scurrying up the table

Chicken lathered in sauce, bread stuffed with meat, butter melting into corn on styrofoam plates, sheltered under umbrella

Brothers and cousins chasing me up the slide as I snatch the first firefly, only to release it to the first twinkling star