With Sympathy

They will not go quietly,

the pets who’ve shared our lives.

In subtle ways they let us know

their spirit still survives.

Old habits still can make us think

we hear them at the door

Or step back when we drop

a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place

the food dish used to be,

And, sometimes, coming home at night,

we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring us new friends

and a new food dish to fill,

that one place in our hearts belongs to them

and always will.

-Author unknown

For Poe’s mom, Nissetje

and all of us animal lovers out there

*tears and hugs*

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40 thoughts on “With Sympathy”

  4. Aw ffs I am at my desk at work bawling. Thank you so much. I will make sure Poe’s mom sees this as well (she’s not a blogger, but I’ll send her the link). I loved that little guy so much. Hugs right back atcha. ❤

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    1. I know. I couldn’t help myself. I stick this poem into all of the sympathy cards at work. I hardly ever read it, it always makes me cry. Here’s hoping you will have something to bring a big smile to you today. ☺

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            3. Yeah, it’s interesting that you mention that, as it bugged me when I first read it a few years ago. And now I’m reading a thick collection of Neruda’s translated poetry and feeling kind of icked-out by his equation of women with earth / nature and the kind of selfish, functional way he views us. We are vehicles for his pleasure and salvation, the link for him to experience nature and bliss, and we are equated with sensation, emotion, and the earth. So when you point out that last line in the dog poem, it makes me feel like non-male-human people are all only relevant to him in terms of what we can do for him or make him feel. I mean, obviously he cared for that dog, and he seems to care (in general) for the women he writes about in his poems, but it seems kind of… I dunno… selfish. Or just self-centered? Anyway, food for thought as I keep reading his work.

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            5. I was wondering too if he was trying to draw a line in between himself and his emotions with that line. His way of separating himself from the loss he felt, like you said, a macho male thing. You’ve made me curious about him now. Let me see what I can find. Thanks for that. 😊

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            6. I’m plugging away at the love poems because I understand that done of his nature and political poetry is quite inspiring. Although it’s been my experience that these kinds of attitudes tend to be personality-based rather than theme-specific, but why not give the guy a chance. 🙂

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        1. Kat, I am having trouble commenting on your posts. Can you let me know if I have ended up in your spam or if they are just disappearing into thin air…I am so happy things are coming together there for you and that you are getting back on track! Xo

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