Tuesday, 10 February: Sympathy

Sympathy by Briton Riviere (1840-1920)

We made them

in the image of our fears

to cry at doors

at partings - even brief

to beg for food at table

and to look at us with those big

aching eyes

and to stay with us

when our children flee.

And sleep upon our beds

on darkest nights

and cringe at thunder

as in our own childhood frights.

We made them sad-eyed

loving, loyal, scared

of life without us.

We nurtured their dependency and grief.

We keep them as reminders of our fear.

We love them as the unacknowledged hosts

of our own terror

of the grave - abandoment.

Hold my paw

for I am dying.

Sleep upon my coffin.

Wait for me,

sad-eyed,

in the middle of the drive

that curves beyond the cemetry wall.

I hear your bark

I hear your mournful bark

Oh, may all the dogs

that I have ever loved,

carry my coffin

howl at the moonless sky

and lie down with me sleeping

when I die.

Best friends by Erica de Jong

(Trist and Gal, where would I be without your unconditional companionship?)