He's Left These Woods

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By Jane Hyphen

Tue, 03 Jan 2023
  • 2141 reads
23 comments
 

 

He’s left these woods,

Mr Pip slipped

quietly through a gap. 

A quick look back

then gone between the trees.

Fifteen years ago

I held him on my lap

as his fiery brown eyes

searched anxiously 

for his squirming siblings.

We chose him

and we were his family.

 

He was sleek and 

full of promise,

like an apple seed;

shiny dark brown, black

and thoroughly knowing.

A white flash on his chest

like a star, we said, a bat.

I soon learned that he could fly 

and many hidden powers 

from the past,

ones we lost, he held

and gave them back.

And other powers

possessed of those

who are truly present.

 

I paid him back with food 

and adoring love, 

but he didn’t take it all,

he didn’t need it 

and wanted me to 

keep some for myself, 

a frail human.

I couldn’t hide with him,

‘It’s her and that black dog’

A wandering team,

rather aimless

but getting out nonetheless.

I miss him but I know

he’s just through the trees.

 

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

Beautiful 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you for the cherries.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Drew. He was such a beautiful boy. I dreamt about him last night, just a mundane dream but he is very much alive in my subconscious.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Such a devoted poem makes for a great tribute to such an adoring missed friend. I'm sure Mr Pip is with you in spirit as you seemed so close.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Jenny. He's still with me in spirit, although he was quite an independant character which made him all the more admirable. I've still got my other little whippet, the beige bandit, he is much more needy. Many thanks for reading.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Oh Jane, that's PERFECT! My chest is all tight reading. I could never write about my dog, but you have and it is wonderful to know someone understands completely. I love your descriptions, am so glad he came to you in a dream

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Di for your lovely comment. I did a lot of pre-emptive grief with Pip so I think that might be why I'm feeling slightly sad rather than all cut up with it. It was lovely to see him in my dream, although I did also visit Ikea in the same dream...

 

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

This beautiful tribute to Mr Pip is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you for this. Pip would have been so proud.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Great choice!

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Yes, they're always always there, just out of the corner of your vision - but you know they're still there. This is so beautiful Jane - you express it so perfectly. I'm so sorry for your loss, but this is a wonderful tribute and what a beautiful picture too. Very glad to see golden cherries on this!

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Hi Insert, thank you for your comment. They are indeed, accompanying you through life. I was very lucky to have such a companion and he was very photogenic as you can see.

 

Submitted by celticman on

ah, sad but happy in a way. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

True, losing an animal is sad and happy, there isn't usually a barrier to those emotions. Losing a human is much more complicated.

 

Submitted by TJW on

When one of my babies dies I bury that baby in a pot with a plant so they go on living as long as the plant grows. Much obliged for the read. 

V/R 

TJ

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you - that is a lovely idea.

 

Submitted by marandina on

A beautiful tribute, Jane. My collie woofer is 16 going on 17 later this year. Savouring the days we have with him. Paul

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Collie's are a long-lived breed too, and very clever. Your dog must be well loved and looked after. Savour the days and the smells, I miss the bad ones from Pip, not sure why but I really miss his bad smells. Strange but true. Thank you for reading, Paul.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by Kris on

Finely penned, soul moving, not only in your words, the journey through your eyes.....

Accolades well deserved....

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you x

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Such a precious memory & tribute for a meaningful family member.

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank you Richard x