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Where Elliott Waits Through this gateway built of timber Past the trees tossing glints off the pond You’ll see a pathway leading somewhere... The “Rainbow Bridge” lies beyond As afternoon's warmth receded, one October day The cool, Fall breeze beckoned one last time It whistled through your silent darkness About six years past your prime As afternoon fell, crisped by autumn air Under a sky of azure, framing red and gold You took your last soulful soujourn and parted forever from your fold But you were loved and lived unchained.. Somehow, that must have been enough Undaunted, your weary paws responded Sunlight’s last dance on faded buff And so we bid you farewell old friend The cool wind whispers adieu We know you’ve reached the meadow Where all life begins anew Each Fall will paint your shadow Faithful companions are all too few So meet us at the Rainbow Bridge That day when we cross over too |
Additional Notes:
Everyone can probably appreciate how it feels to lose a pet. Our yellow Lab of
years, disappeared last Saturday after over a year of blindness and becoming
partially deaf. He'd been one of the fortunate ones... we had 5 acres of woods
for our 3 dogs to play on, unleashed. He made the best of aging, but it was sad
to see the bold strength of his youth erode to pure existence. We searched but
never found him.. probably a blessing in disguise, but we know it was his choosing
to respond to that instinctive call at the end. This poem was inspired by the
original poem by Steve and Diane Bodofsky, "The Rainbow Bridge". Their piece gave
us much comfort. Surely every pet owner needs to believe there's a "Rainbow Bridge"!
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2004-01-06 15:49:21
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.57013
Dear Terrye:
I had to revisit this poem, as I read your critique of Carolyn's "Good-bye to Grizz."
I remembered that I especially loved it. I love it even more, now, as my daughter has
a chocolate lab named, "Cucumber" whom I love intensely. I know that I reviewed it
once before but I wanted to comment once again.
Through this gateway built of timber
Past the trees tossing glints off the pond
You’ll see a pathway leading somewhere...
The “Rainbow Bridge” lies beyond
The "somewhere" leaves the reader to behold each one's 'inner bridge.'
It is a bridge I long to cross when the time is right. Many await me
there. The list is long, and your poem serves to remind me of the
many blessings of canine and feline companions along life's way. Each
reader will view his or her own scrapbook of memories. If you don't
mind my asking, would you consider re-submitting this one some time
soon?
As afternoon's warmth receded, one October day
The cool, Fall breeze beckoned one last time
It whistled through your silent darkness --this passage has an exquisite, eerie beauty
About six years past your prime
As afternoon fell, crisped by autumn air
Under a sky of azure, framing red and gold -- WONDERFUL!
You took your last soulful soujourn - exquisite "sou" sounds
and parted forever from your fold -
But you were loved and lived unchained..
Somehow, that must have been enough
Undaunted, your weary paws responded
Sunlight’s last dance on faded buff -- this is what brought tears once more
And so we bid you farewell old friend
The cool wind whispers adieu
We know you’ve reached the meadow
Where all life begins anew
Terrye: You've a wonderful gift for eliciting emotions for the reader of your
poetry. I am looking forward to reading something new by you sometime soon.
All my best,
Joanne
Each Fall will paint your shadow
Faithful companions are all too few
So meet us at the Rainbow Bridge
That day when we cross over too